For several parents and grandparents, it was as though the Christmas season was extended. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Head Start/Early Head Start Discovery Center for Little Scholars gave free car seats to 16 preschoolers on Wednesday, Jan. 16.
The gift was made possible by the Illinois State Police and two anonymous donors.
“I’m so glad I came,” said Calvin Nichols, grandfather of five-year-old Tishay and four-year-old Tyshawn. “This is such a blessing.” Nichols won two car seats.
“It’s important for us to keep our children safe, and I’m grateful to SIUE Head Start for coordinating this giveaway,” said Linda Thomas, aunt of three-year-old Aaliyah Chism.
The idea of the car seat giveaway originated with SIUE Head Start/Early Head Start staff Megan Redman, Kimberly Simpkins and Curtricia Hudson, according to Discovery Center Coordinator Heidi Eichenseer.
“Illinois law changed in January, and now children up to the age of two must be secured in rear facing car seats,” said Eichenseer. “We also recognized that many of our families were unable to purchase car seats.
“When we contacted the Illinois State Police, they were more than willing to provide car seats for our Head Start/Early Head Start children.” The police donated 14 car seats.
“Providing these car seats was extremely important to us,” said Trooper Josh Korando, Safety Education/Public Information officer with the Illinois State Police District II. “I’ve been to many crashes where children were not buckled in properly, and they were hurt or worse.
“If we can save one life by donating a car seat, we’ve done our job. In most cases, it’s not that people don’t want to comply. It’s that they can’t afford to buy car seats.”
Prior to the giveaway, Tabitha Luczak, Stronger Beginnings for Families lead home visitor at Southern Region Children’s Home and Aid, gave a detailed presentation on the features and proper use of various car seats. Luczak demonstrated the functions of the convertible seat, infant seat, combination seat and booster seat.
Photos:
SIUE Head Start/Early Head Start Discovery Center for Little Scholars coordinated a car seat giveaway to the delight of preschool families.
Aaliyah Chism, three-year-old Discovery Center student, is happy that her aunt Linda Thomas won a car seat.
Tabitha Luczak, Stronger Beginnings for Families lead home visitor at Southern Region Children’s Home and Aid, talks to parents and grandparents about the proper way to use various car seats.