Three local groups are teaming up to help local children protect themselves while riding their bicycles.

Habitat for Humanity PEH, the Brain Injury Association of Quinte District and the Children’s Safety Village are joining forces to give bicycle helmets away free to children on Saturday June 25 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Safety Village.

Habitat for Humanity received a donation of children’s bicycle helmets from an anonymous corporate retail donor and reached out to the Children’s Safety Village about a possible partnership. Kris Bonn of Bonn Law and the Brain Injury Association of Quinte District has been a long-time partner and sponsor of the Village and immediately jumped at the chance to further protect children in the area by adding to the helmets to be given away.

The Habitat donation is 150 helmets, all extra small (for infants). The approximately 100 helmets from BIAQD will be a variety of sizes. Helmets will be given away free on a first come first served basis until noon or until supplies run out. Volunteers from BIAQD, the Safety Village and Crimestoppers will be on hand to assist with fitting and handing out the helmets.

“Serving the community requires teamwork – and we thought the best homes for these helmets would be found through a partnership with the Children’s Safety Village,” said Hazzem Koudsi, executive director for Habitat for Humanity. “At Habitat we strongly believe that the children of our community have been harshly impacted by the effects of the pandemic, and we are hoping these helmets allow them to find some joy through outdoor activities such as biking. Supporting families is important to us, and we are very happy to be partnering with Children’s Safety Village.”

Kris Bonn of Bonn Law said the timing was ideal as the Brain Injury Association of Quinte District was in the process of working on giving away helmets they had gathered in order to help keep children safe.

Matt Howell, chair of the board for the Children’s Safety Village, stressed that the Village has always relied on the support of its community partners, sponsors and friends throughout Hastings Prince Edward to help us teach children to be safe.

“At the Children’s Safety Village we are committed to engaging children and youth so they truly understand the dangers around them and what they need to do to protect themselves,” he said. “But that requires them to have the tools and equipment to be safe. Thanks to Habitat for Humanity and the Brain Injury Association of Quinte District, many more children will now have a critical tool needed to keep them safe

while cycling.”

The Bike Helmet Giveway Day will take place:

                        WHEN:             Saturday June 25 from 9 a.m. – noon (while supplies last)
                        WHERE:           Children’s Safety Village Belleville
                                                129 S. John Street (behind the former police station)
Access will be available off of S. John Street or through the parking lot for the former police station off of George Street.

The Children’s Safety Village is located at 129 S. John Street, just south of Dundas Street beside the old police station. On Saturday, June 25, access to the village will be open from S. John Street directly or from off the parking lot of the former police station, which is accessible from S. George Street just east of the former police building. Both entrances are fully accessible.

The Children’s Safety Village is an interactive educational organization that delivers relevant safety programs to youth of all ages and abilities to empower them and provide the necessary tools to make informed decisions and play an active role in community safety. It is a not-for-profit agency that receives not government funding for operations and relies entirely on the generous support of our sponsors, partners and donors throughout Hastings Prince Edward.

For more information contact:

Bill Glisky                                                                                            
Executive Director                                                                             
Children’s Safety Village
613-243-3748
director@csvbelleville.com