Bicycle Safety Day event was a success

To the editor:

The Twelfth Annual Bicycle Safety Day was held on May 14, 2022 at the TSC Garage, with a free bicycle helmet give away and bicycle rodeo to educate children and parents on bicycle safety.

I feel Keith inspires me with his smile. I know he would be excited about the day, especially making children safer cyclists. We will never know if a helmet would have made a difference in Keith’s case, in 1983, the information on bicycle helmets wasn’t available. Studies now show helmets do make a difference. I cannot begin to express my heartfelt appreciation to everyone for your help. You made the day a success because of your compassion for the children of this community, saving lives by donating or by sharing your time. You enabled us to give away free bicycle helmets and educate children and parents on how to handle their bicycles in traffic and therefore becoming safer cyclists, in which our whole community benefits from.

We had around 170 children attend the event, receive helmets, shown the proper way to fit their helmet, and ride their bicycles correctly. Those who attended the event received an extra ticket for a drawing to win items such as remote truck, bicycle locks, elbow and knee pads, gift certificates, games, piggy banks, pens, puzzle pens and other great gift from our local businesses. Every child who attended received a free raffle ticket for a chance to win one of two bicycles. The boy's bicycle with bike lock winner was Bentley Hadding, donated by Walmart Superstore. The girl's bicycle with bike lock winner was Rayna Blackburn, donated by the Wapakoneta Noon Optimist.

Thank you to the following businesses for providing coupons and other gifts as incentives: Dad’s Toy Shop, Winan’s Chocolates + Coffees, Mcdonald’s Restaurant, Pizza Hut, Eldora Speedway, Minster Bank, Krave Creamery, The Bicycle Museum of America, Astro Lanes, Lagrande Pizza and Woodforest Bank.

Thank you to the following for supplying food and drinks that we all enjoyed: Dannon Yogurt Company, Beer 'N' Wine Depot, and Kelli and Andy Rempe for bottled water. Cookies were donated by Hope Sensabaugh and Clara Zweibel. Thank you to the Wapakoneta Street & Light Department for displaying the banner and providing the barricades. A big thank you to all the local businesses who allowed a poster displayed in their store. Volunteers, thank you for your time and compassion to educate our young children about bike safety, fitting helmets, and working on bicycles: Noon Optimist Members, Team Roadrunner’s, Crankers Cycling, Lori Ruwoldt, Hope Sensabaugh, Clara Zweibel, Cheryl Selover, Bob Kohlreiser, Jake Froning, Mark and Diana Froning, GSWO Troop 20063, Kelli and Andy Rempe, and Rick Froning.

My team thank you very much for always having my back. Wapakoneta Police Department, Chief Calvin Schneider and Nikki Sawmiller, Wapakoneta Fire Department, Chief Eric Sammetinger and Kevin Bellman, Auglaize County Sheriff’s Department, D.A.R.E. Officer Mitchel Karner, St. Rita’s Trauma Unit, Cranker’s Cycling (Rylie), Wapakoneta Noon Optimist, Morton Go-kart Team, Team Roadrunners Cycling Team, and Turner Tents. Thank you to our Interim Mayor, Steve Henderson, for opening remarks. Thanks to all, you should be proud of yourself for helping to encourage bicycle safety and awareness among our community’s children. My wish is to encourage parents to practice what they preach your child will emulate your helmet and riding habits. I want no one shareour pain of losing a child. Remember!!! The key to your bike pedals is your helmet. With Sincere Heartfelt thanks,

Marlene Froning

Wapakoneta

Note: I discovered the day of Bicycle Safety Day many of the children had double up on games that were rained out. If you need a Bicycle Helmet, it is Free by contacting me at 419-7388267 and leave your name and number, I will return your call for a time and day.