The third-annual campaign by the Rainy River Valley Safety Coalition and police to promote children wearing helmets while riding their bicycles has been wellreceived so far this summer, the OPP reported this morning.
Over the past month or so, local OPP officers have stopped more than 60 children riding bikes while wearing their helmets to congratulate them for taking such a safety precaution, OPP S/Sgt. Hugh Dennis noted.
These officers then reward the young cyclists with a gift certificate for a free ice cream cone from Mc- Donald’s Restaurant here, and also take down their name and phone number to enter in a draw for $100.
The first of three draws was made this morning at the Fort Frances OPP detachment by S/Sgt.
Dennis and RRVSC chairman Doug Anderson. The winner was Cody Drennan of Emo.
The other two draws will be held Sept. 1 and Oct. 1.
“I can speak for myself that it’s a very rewarding experience,” S/Sgt.
Dennis said of the campaign.
“Their eyes get as big as saucers when they see the police and then they realize they’re getting free ice cream,” he chuckled. “The reactions have been really positive.”^Anderson noted that while the RRVSC has promoted bike helmet safety with stickers in the past, and had a grand prize of a bike, the ice cream and cash seem to be preferable rewards for the kids this time around.
The campaign will continue over the next couple of months.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
