By Lisa Wilcox
Staff Writer
CARIBOU — On May 31, the Caribou Rotary Club joined forces with the Caribou Parks and Recreation Department to sponsor their Bicycle Helmet Safety program for the 20th consecutive year.
Aroostook Republican Photo/Lisa Wilcox
Second-graders at Hilltop Elementary School in Caribou were happy to show off the bike helmets they received from the Caribou Rotary Club and the Parks and Recreation Department. Rotarians, back row, from left, Mark Shea, Bob Sprague, William Tasker, Ryan Ellsworth, Pam Buck, Frank McElwain and Dan Jandreau passed out the helmets to the students on May 31.
The service organization purchased over 120 helmets for second-grade students in Caribou, Woodland, New Sweden, Stockholm and Connor, bringing the total amount of helmets distributed over the past 20 years to 2,804.
During an assembly to pass out the helmets at Hilltop Elementary School, Kathy Mazzuchelli, the Caribou Recreation Department director, demonstrated the proper way to wear the safety apparatus and sent the second-graders home with instructions for their parents.
“Bicycling presents hazards to all participants and a few simple precautions can make a difference,” the letter read.
Earlier in the week, Mazzuchelli and Hilltop Principal Jane McCall presented the Rotarians with plaques thanking them for their participation in the helmet program over the years.
“This is the 20th year that you have shown the commitment and supported this act of generosity, demonstrating your belief in the importance of our children being safe while riding bicycles,” McCall told Rotary President Patrick Bennett during her presentation.
Statistics show that about 80 percent of all bicyclists’ deaths result from head injuries. Bicycle helmets are required by law in the state of Maine for anyone under 16 years of age.
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| Contributed Photo Connor second-graders, from left, Tressa Salch, Alexis Paul, Hiawatha Paul, James Shrewsberry and Lilly Johnson Roy hold the bike helmets they received from the Caribou Rotary Club and Parks and Recreation Department on May 31. This marks the 20th year that the Rotarians have provided bike helmets for second-grade students. |
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| Contributed Photo New Sweden second-graders, from left, front row, Ari Easter, Kammie Fisher and Laren Wetherall; back row, Maya Peterson, George Ferland, Allyssa Howe, Emily Gendreau and Gabbie Anderson display their new bike helmets they received from the Caribou Rotary Club and Parks and Recreation Department on May 31. |
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| Contributed Photo Students in Mrs. Greenier’s second-grade class in Woodland received helmets from the Caribou Rotary Club and Parks and Recreation Department on May 31. Shown with their helmets are, side left, from front, Tatiana Arce, Jesse Taggett, Edric Jones and Caitlyn Arce; back row, from left, Kasey Landry, Evan Brown, Kate Doody, Nevaeh Trombley, Cody Ellis an Connor Soucy; side right, from front, Trey Gilbert, Jasmine Berry, Megan Plourde and Jakob Oliver; front row, from left, Rick Pitre, Connor Doody, Emily Moir and Gage Levesque; middle row, from left, Saffayia Durepo, Kay-Lee Parker and Hailey Espling. |
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| Aroostook Republican Photo/Lisa Wilcox Hilltop Elementary School Principal Jane McCall presented Caribou Rotary Club President Patrick Bennett with a plaque to commemorate the 20 years the Rotarians have purchased bike helmets to distribute to area second-graders in a partnership with the Caribou Parks and Recreation Department. Rec Director Kathy Mazzuchelli was also on hand to present the Rotarians with a plaque from the Rec. |
