Safe Kids Greater Cincinnati, Led by Cincinnati Children`s Hospital Medical Center, Launches the Give a Kid a Book Project and Website
Released on: April 9, 2008, 8:01 am
Press Release Author: Julie Trade Levitch
Industry: Non Profit
Press Release Summary: Project, headed by decorated Cincinnati firefighter Robert Smith, to raise funds to provide hard-covered educational books with fire safety messages to children most at risk.
Press Release Body: CINCINNATI, OH, April 8, 2008 - Safe Kids Greater Cincinnati, in a collaborative effort with Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati area fire departments, and the Children's Discovery Workshop, today announced the official launch of the Give a Kid a Book Project. The Give a Kid a Book Project was developed to raise funds to provide hard-covered, educational books with fire safety messages for young children and their caregivers. The website, www.stopburns.org, has also been launched to provide up-to-date information on the project. Donations can be made via the website to help underwrite the costs of the project.
Headed by Cincinnati Fire Department Fire and Life Safety Specialist Robert "Fireman Bob" Smith, the Give a Kid a Book Project will develop the books that will be distributed by area fire departments and other local agencies. While the flagship project is focused on the greater Cincinnati area, project partners plan to expand their efforts to produce and distribute the books nationwide.
"To be effective, we must educate the children in a way that is understandable and entertaining," states Smith. "These books will go a long way to help them and their parents make safer choices in their lives. With the assistance of Safe Kids Greater Cincinnati, we can ensure that those most in need are provided with the information to begin an ongoing dialog about fire safety and prevention."
The Safe Kids Coalition chose fire safety as their first hard-covered educational book project in response to the ongoing necessity for education and information to prevent devastating fire and burn-related injuries and deaths. Thousands of children suffer burn-related injuries each year, and children ages four and under are at the greatest risk. The total annual cost of scald burn-related deaths and injuries among children ages 14 and under is approximately $2.1 billion. Children, ages 4 and under, account for $1.3 billion, or more than 60 percent of these costs.
"Our goal is to reach and teach children to prevent injuries and deaths," says Smith. "We believe that because these books are durable and hard-covered, they will be read and valued more than a simple leaflet or brochure. The message is vastly important, and we truly hope that the books will continue to teach fire safety and prevention for years to come."
The Give a Kid a Book Project is currently accepting donations from both private citizens and corporate sponsors to help produce and distribute the books. Unique sponsorship opportunities are available for recognition in the books. All donations are 100% tax deductible. As well, a special fundraising event will be held on October 5, 2008 to honor the efforts of Robert Smith. For more information on the Give a Kid a Book Project, go to www.stopburns.org or call Deatra Greene at Safe Kids 513.636.0576 or email: safekids@stopburns.org.
About Safe Kids Greater Cincinnati The Safe Kids Coalition is the first and only non-profit organization dedicated solely to the prevention of unintentional injury - the number one killer of children ages 14 and under. The Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center is the lead organization of Safe Kids Greater Cincinnati.
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Media Contact: Danielle N. Lewis Phone: 513-636-9473 Email: danielle.lewis@cchmc.org
Web Site: http://www.stopburns.org
Contact Details: Danielle Lewis 513-636-9473 danielle.lewis@cchmc.org