Kids "Cited" for Practicing Good Safety Habits -- Law enforcement on the lookout for children wearing helmets
Local Wendy's Restaurants will offer 50 free bicycle helmets on Saturday, May 30, from 10 a.m. to noon in conjunction with the I Got Caught! program. Area law enforcement officers will be on hand to help fit helmets and instruct children on bicycle safety habits. (See last page for list of participating Wendy's locations.)
In an effort to educate young Iowans, Iowa Health System, the state's largest health system, AAA Minnesota/Iowa, Wendy's Restaurants, and local law enforcement are partnering to encourage helmet usage through the I Got Caught! program. The mission of the program is to reward children, ages 2 to 13, for wearing helmets in an effort to prevent traumatic brain injuries on bicycles, skateboards, roller blades and scooters.
Participating law enforcement officials throughout Iowa have been instructed on injury prevention issues and are on the lookout for children demonstrating safe behaviors. Children "caught" in the act will receive a sticker, a coupon for a free Wendy's Frosty and a chance to win one of several bike giveaways.
Each year more than 800 bicyclists are killed and another 500,000 are injured in the United States. However, statistics have shown that, when used properly, helmets reduce the risk of a traumatic brain injury by as much as 88 percent.
"Wendy's is proud to be able to work with law enforcement, AAA Minnesota/Iowa, and the Iowa Health System to promote safe habits," said Franchisee, Jeff Ruppel. "The cost of a helmet is nothing compared to the possible cost of a child's life."
Bill Leaver, president and CEO of Iowa Health System, said he would prefer to have the health system help prevent injuries rather than treat them, and the I Got Caught! program is designed to do just that. "At Iowa Health System, we want to be sure to reach out and help children make smart decisions. We think this innovative program will help with that. At least that is our sincere hope."
Wendy's International, Inc. (NYSE: WEN) is one of the world's largest and most successful restaurant operating and franchising companies. More information about the Company is available at www.wendys-invest.com.
Initially formed in 1995, Iowa Health System includes 11 hospitals in Bettendorf, Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, Dubuque, Fort Dodge, Sioux City, Waterloo, Iowa, and Moline and Rock Island, Ill., along with a group of 369 staffed physicians and 128 clinics in 71 communities in Iowa, Nebraska, and Illinois. Iowa Health System is the first and largest integrated health care system in Iowa with revenues of almost $2 billion and more than 19,000 employees. Its hospitals serve almost one in every three patients in Iowa. For more information visit, www.ihs.org.
AAA Minnesota/Iowa, which includes more than 778,000 members, offers automotive, travel, insurance and financial services. It is part of The Auto Club Group (ACG), the largest affiliation of AAA clubs in the Midwest, with 4.1 million members in eight states. ACG clubs belong to the national AAA federation, a not-for-profit organization, with more than 51 million members in the United States and Canada. For more information visit, www.aaa.com.
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