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EPIC receives $5,000 from Kelly for Kids

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Mon, Jan 22nd 2018 09:55 am
EPIC - Every Person Influences Children - announced it received $5,000 from the Kelly for Kids Foundation. This donation will fund two EPIC car seat safety events in 2018. These events will include a car seat safety class, a car seat safety checking station, and the replacement of any damaged, recalled or expired car seats, as well as the distribution of car seats to those who don't even have one for their child(ren).
The two sites have yet to be identified, but will take place in communities that will allow EPIC to serve those who are in the greatest need.
In recent years, through work with its clients, partnerships with fellow agencies and participation in community events (such as the Lackawanna Community Fun Days and at South Park Community School), EPIC has witnessed the need for safe care seats and car seat education for the vulnerable parents. Many of the parents EPIC serves are economically disadvantaged and cannot afford a safe car seat, and usually purchase their car seats off Craig's List or at a garage sale. Other parents EPIC works with come from other countries and are unaware of the importance of using a car seat and how to properly install them.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motor vehicle injuries are a leading cause of death among children in the U.S. However, many of these deaths can be prevented.
In the U.S., 663 children ages 12 years and younger died as occupants in motor vehicle crashes during 2015, and more than 121,350 were injured in 2014. One CDC study found that, in one year, more than 618,000 children ages 0-12 rode in vehicles without the use of a child safety seat or booster seat or a seat belt at least some of the time.
Of the children ages 12 years and younger who died in a crash in 2015 (for which restraint use was known), 35 percent were not buckled up.
Thanks to the generosity of the Kelly for Kids Foundation, EPIC will be able to help several families throughout the community, by not only providing them with new and safer car seats, but with the education they need to make sure they are installing the seats correctly and using them the right way.
For more information about EPIC and its car seat program, visit www.epicforchildren.org or contact Kristin Scholz at 716-332-4130 or [email protected].

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