Hospitals in Action >> Case Examples

PENNOCK HEALTH SERVICES, Hastings, MI
Bicycle Safety Jamboree

What is it?
Since 2000, Pennock PAL (Protect A Life), in cooperation with the Pennock Foundation and Pennock Hospital, has sponsored an annual bicycle helmet giveaway that has distributed more than 3,000 helmets via the Bicycle Safety Jamboree. The event also includes health and safety information from local community partners, including the Michigan State Police, the Barry County Sheriff's Department, and the Hastings Fire Department. Children can also navigate through a bicycle safety course with their bikes. At the end of the course, participants are presented with a certificate of completion, and they take an oath - administered by a Hastings City Police Officer - to ride safely using their newly acquired skills and to always wear their helmet when they ride. More than 40 volunteers from local community agencies and service clubs are involved in the planning, preparation, and execution of this fun and informative day.

Who is it for?
The helmets are free to all family members.

Why do they do it?
To reduce the number of head injuries sustained by children in Barry County. Based on statistical information from Pennock Health Services Health Information Management Department, that number was reduced by 50 percent between 2005 and 2006.

Contact: Stacey E. Graham
Customer Service Manager
Telephone: 269-945-1760
Email: sgraham@pennockhealth.com