Area children and some visiting grandchildren had many opportunities to learn about safety in a fun environment at the Spring into Safety event on Saturday. Co-sponsored by Home Depot and the Lady Lake Police Department, children were treated to free hot dogs while they built toolboxes. Some of the lucky children went home with new bikes and helmets.
Sumter County Sheriff’s Office and Villages Fire and Rescue were on hand to talk to the children and answer questions, as was Lady Lake Police Chief Chris McKinstry.
SECO’s Gus Kornegay used a demonstration board that lighted up and sizzled to teach children about using electricity safely. Using examples of kites and power lines, water and electricity and not sticking metal objects in a toaster oven, children learned what to and not to do.
The Orange Blossom Gardens Lions Club painted faces while Cal’s Beauty and Barber Shop of Spanish Springs offered free haircuts to children. Adults could get a haircut for a donation. These donations go to support one of the children’s charities they work Cal’s works with during the holidays.
And then it was time to give away the bicycles. Ranging from tricycles to full size, there were plenty of bikes to hand out. Children registered for tickets during the event and at 1 p.m. Chief McKinstry started calling numbers.
It was a good day for the Flores family. Marianne, 14, and Claudia, 8, each won a bicycle and middle sister Sarah, 10, won a basketball. They learned about this event at their church class at Saint Vincent de Paul. They are residents of Lady Lake.
One-year old, almost two, Kyran Krolick, down from Virginia visiting his grandmother, Sue Krolick, a resident of the Village of Poinciana is the proud new owner of a red tricycle.
The Lady Lake Police Department co-sponsors with area businesses throughout the year to hold events geared toward safety for adults and children.
