Protecting Our Kids for Nearly 20 Years

Over the past 18 years, nearly 5,000 area third graders have received a free bike helmet specially fitted to each student. It’s all part of an effort started by the medical staff at Grinnell Regional Medical Center to try to reduce head injuries for children in the area.

Volunteer Miranda Jones fits a
helmet for a student.

Helmets are given out at 12 schools  – BGM, Central Iowa Christian Academy, East Marshall, Green Mountain Garwin (GMG), Grinnell/Newburg, Lynnville/Sully, Meskwaki Settlement, Montezuma, North Mahaska, Sully Christian, South Tama, and Victor (HLV).

Craig Cooper of Bikes to You, GRMC employees and medical staff, and in some communities like Grinnell, the Grinnell Police department staff, will visit the schools and fit a helmet to each third-grade student as well as discuss the importance of preventing head injury.

Children who use helmets as soon as they begin riding are more likely to continue that healthy behavior throughout their lifetime.

A report by the University of Iowa Injury Prevention Research Center cites that wearing a helmet can reduce the risk of head injury by as much as 85 percent. Additionally, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration notes that bicycle riders who are not using a helmet are 14 times more likely to die than those who are wearing a helmet.

Those who ride bicycles are not the only ones who can benefit from protective head gear. In-line skates, skateboards, scooters, motorcycles, mopeds, and ATVs all pose serious risk of head injury.

Craig says it best. “When you have wheels under your feet, you need a helmet on your head.”

Grinnell Chief of Police Dennis Reilly
adjusts the helmet for a good fit.

This program is entirely funded by donations with lead gifts from the GRMC Medical Staff, area businesses, organizations, churches, individuals, and families.

A very special thank you to our current list of donors: Anonymous, Duane Blagden, C & K Transfer, Cirks Financial Services, Charlie Clements and Denise Lamphier, Curt’s Collision Center, Ellis Home Interiors, First State Bank of Lynnville, Grinnell State Bank, Heater Lawn Care, Lynnville Women’s Club, Medicap Pharmacy – Jennifer and Kevin Stallman, Ramsey-Weeks, Inc., and State Bank of Toledo.

If you would like your name to be added to this list of donors, we would greatly appreciate your financial gift. You may send your donation to GRMC Communications and Development, 210 Fourth Avenue, Grinnell, IA 50112. Questions? Call Denise Lamphier at 641-236-2589.