Bicycle Helmets For Third Graders

Healthiest Ames has again partnered with Mary Greeley Medical Center and Skunk River Cycles to provide area third graders with free helmets to encourage safety while engaging in healthy activities like bicycling, scootering, and roller skating. The distribution will take place beginning at 9 a.m. on Monday, April 22.

“This amazing collaboration promotes exercise and active play while protecting our kids at the same time,” said Ann Thompson, Healthiest Ames Board. “Getting students helmets at the third  grade level really helps set expectations for wearing them while being active.  

In previous years, volunteers from Healthiest Ames Board of Directors and  Mary Greeley helped fit each student and helped them select a helmet. Skunk River Cycles ordered and organized all the helmets using head measurements provided for each of the third graders.

Healthiest Ames is a volunteer group committed to promoting healthy lifestyles in Ames with the goal of making the Ames the healthiest city in Iowa. It was formally founded in 2011 and represents a variety of organizations working to improve the health and wellness of residents. The four focus areas include healthy food choices, community connectedness, health condition awareness, and physical activity.