Kosciusko REMC and the Warsaw/Wayne Fire Territory will help celebrate area fire fighters, police officers and emergency services personnel with the fourth annual Play It Safe Family Safety Day.
The event is Sept. 10 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Warsaw’s Central Park and Pavilion.
One of the highlights of this year’s event is a Warsaw/Kosciusko County Chamber of Commerce Red Cross Bloodmobile blood drive.
The community is encouraged to donate blood to help pay tribute to those emergency personnel who lost their lives on 9/11. Pre-registration for making donations can be done by contacting the Chamber at 574-267-6311.
“We’re really excited about the new activities and participants onboard for this year, thanks to some generous grants from community foundations,” said Shirley Fetrow, event coordinator for the Warsaw/Wayne Fire Territory.
Guinness World Record holder and National Fitness Hall of Fame member Mark Rothstein will be on hand to demonstrate rope jumping and provide fitness workshops for children.
World famous clown Ronald McDonald also will be on hand with a safety presentation and giveaways for kids.
Kosciusko Community Hospital will have several children’s activities, including their gummy worm “surgery” station and hand-washing education station, and they will provide blood pressure checks for adults.
The South Bend Memorial Hospital “Healthworks Hummer” also will be on site with health activities, including the Kohl’s “Fit Feastival” healthy eating games. Kids can make their own first aid kits, courtesy of grants from the Kosciusko Community Foundation and the K-21 Foundation, with the assistance of Multi-Township EMS.
The lineup of activities includes: 11 a.m. – Lutheran Hospital “Air” helicopter arrives in Central Park 11:15 a.m. – Mark Rothstein World of Rope Jumping program noon – YMCA Zumba demonstration 12:30 p.m. – YMCA Zumba demonstration 12:45 p.m. – Lutheran Air helicopter departs 1 p.m. – Parkview Samaritan helicopter arrives in Central Park 1 p.m. – Ronald McDonald Safety Show and Meet and Greet 2 p.m. – Mark Rothstein World of Rope Jumping program 3 p.m. – Parkview Samaritan helicopter departs/activities close
Ongoing activities that day include Kosciusko County LAW Dogs – K9 demonstrations.
Other free activities planned include: Safe Assured Kids ID kits containing digital photo ID cards and a mini-CD encrypted with personal data, provided by the Warsaw Breakfast Optimist’s Club; Build & Grow activity kits provided by Lowe’s; an animal safety display by the Animal Welfare League; and farm safety information from Farm Safety 4 Just Kids.
There will be an emergency vehicles display with fire trucks, ambulances, police cars, helicopter landings and departures, a KREMC bucket truck, a bicycle rodeo by the Warsaw Police Department; Warsaw/Wayne Fire Territory zip line rides for kids; water rescue demonstrations and boat rides; and the fire safety Save-A-Life trailer and hazards obstacle course. Also scheduled is a display of antique fire trucks.
The Kid’s Tent will include the Symmetry Medical Wheel of Safety Game; make-and-take first aid kits; and other health and safety games from the American Red Cross. There will also be free face painting and balloon sculptures by Possum Ranch and the Shrine Clowns. Kids will also be able to meet mascots, including Sparky the Fire Dog and Daren the DARE Lion.
Inside the pavilion, a variety of health and safety organizations will also have booths to provide safety information and materials.
Free popcorn provided by North Pointe Cinemas will be available inside the pavilion. Guests can also register to win a variety of prizes at the information booth, including smoke detectors, car seats, bike helmets, fire extinguishers and more.
“Despite rain, last year’s event was attended by nearly 3,000 people,” said Doris Lemert, KREMC communications specialist.
“Play it Safe Family Safety Day is a joint effort between many community organizations and businesses,” said Warsaw Fire Chief Mike Rice. “This is one of the best ways we have to interact with the community in a safe and friendly environment.”
In addition to KREMC and Warsaw/Wayne Fire Territory sponsorship, many companies and organizations have made financial and product donations to help assist in staging Play It Safe Family Safety Day.
These companies and organizations include: Allegra Printing, Biomet Inc., DePuy, Donan Engineering, Grossnickle Eye Center, McDonald’s Restaurants, Medtronic, Paragon Medical, Papa John’s Pizza, Sugarland Bakery and Symmetry Medical.
Funding for the event also was received from grants from the Kosciusko County Community Foundation and the K21 Foundation.
