Car accidents are the number one killer of children ages 1 to 12. The best way to protect a child in the car is to ensure that they are in a car seat or a booster seat of the proper size. It’s difficult sometimes for parents to know if they have the right car seat or even if they have it properly installed. They might even be using a car seat that seems to be fine but has been recalled by the manufacturer due to unseen defects. The Constantine Police Department will be holding a Car Seat Check on June 22 at the Centreville United Methodist Church. Parents should plan to bring their children so the volunteers can determine if their current seat is safe. If it is determined to be unsafe for the child, a new car seat will be given to the parent. Officer Holly Cerney is asking for volunteers from 9 am to 3 pm that day to help with weighing and measuring the children. You can contact Officer Cerney at 269-435-4355 or 269-598-2353.
Up-Cycled Pets is celebrating their second anniversary in June. In the past two years they have successfully placed 48 animals in permanent, loving homes. They would like to invite all their friends and supporters to join them in a combination party/fundraiser called Paddle for Paws. On June 22 participants will depart from Liquid Therapy in Three Rivers for a trip down the beautiful Rocky River. I think this is one of the most scenic of all the waterways in St. Joseph County. It’s an easy trip and even inexperienced paddlers will have fun. Canoes and kayaks can be rented or participants are welcome to bring their own craft. A noon picnic will follow in the pavilion at Liquid Therapy. The deadline for registering for this event is June 10. Registration form and details are on the Up-Cycled Pets website, http://upcycledpets.com/?page_id=376.
The end of the school year is just days away and kids all over are looking forward to summer vacation. Research shows that many children lose ground academically if they don’t use the skills they have developed during the school year. If you have a child in your life – your own child, a grandchild, niece, nephew, or even a close neighbor – there are so many things that you can do to help incorporate learning with summer fun. Every public library has special reading programs for the summer months. If you can just get the child to the library, the staff there will be ready with exciting stories and activities. Look for ways to make every day activities opportunities to learn or practice skills. Letting a child help you cook is a great way to reinforce math skills. Take a walk in your neighborhood and have a scavenger hunt for rocks or leaves or even bugs. Help your child make a simple map of the area where you live. Take advantage of the great parks we have in St. Joseph County. One day a week let’s turn off the video games and plan to do something special. I guarantee it will be fun for you as well as for the kids.
Other programs in St. Joseph County that are looking for volunteers and would like to be included in this weekly column are encouraged to register with United Way. Contact Margaret Shultz, Volunteer Services Specialist, at 269-467-9099 or at volunteer.sjcuw@gmail.com.
