JCI Philippine-New York (Jaycees), in collaboration with Sure Foundation and Dr. Arnil Neri, held a successful Kids Safety Day on Saturday, July 12. More than 60 people attended, mostly children with their parents. The two and a half hour event was filled with great speakers to educate parents and children about personal safety, health, and environmental awareness. Besides the speakers, the organizers handed out free Child ID Kits with fingerprints, pamphlets (bike safety tips, choking prevention, recycle guidelines, fire safety tips and more) and sample health products from Melaleuca for everyone to try. During the training children also received free small toys, animal balloons and kids tattoo to enjoy. The organizers also prepared a fun short video from National Geographic: 6 Degree Could Change the World for children about the earth and how they can save and protect it.

The event is not possible without the following speakers (1) Pastor Tim Bourman from Sure Foundation (2) FDNY-CPR Unit: Officer Betty and Officer Smith for teaching the new CPR training, (3) Firefighter Officer Jason Alonte for entertaining our children’s questions and wearing his full firefighter gear (4) Bill’s Cyclery: Sam and Jon for teaching the safety tips and positive benefits of riding the bike (5) Sonny Mayo and Sports Academy for showing the self-defense technique to kids and parents (6) Dr. Arnil Neri for sharing healthy tips to the parents and children (7) Police Officer Ben Santos and Detective Adrian Campos for promoting personal safety and awareness to all the parents and children and donated free coloring books to children.

At the end of the event, free toys were given away as raffle prizes and Bill’s Cyclery donated 4 free kid bikes as the grand raffle prize for 4 lucky children that stayed the whole time to listen to all the speakers and presentation. All the guests, speakers and volunteers were offered light refreshments after the two hour workshop.

On behalf of the JCI Philippine-New York, Community Development VP Reggie Torrejon expresses our thanks to the Sure Foundation for sponsoring the venue and to Dr. Arnil Neri for continuous support and guidance throughout the event. To JCI Philippine-New York lead project chair Marjerie Taway for her hard work and dedication to make sure the event is well executed. To Sure Foundation volunteers (Carmen, Shannon, Yolanda, Marina, Kathy, Jenny, Juan, Jose, Ivette, Paul, Antonia, Ednny, Julia, Heather and Jeff ), JCI Philippine-New York volunteers (Joey Taway, JCI Phil-NY Past Pres. Almor Dayoan, Jaime Torrejon, Maria Camila Londono, and co-chair Fanny Cano) and food sponsors (JCI Phil-NY Senator Cristina Ramos and Kusinang Filipino).

JCI Philippine-New York (Jaycees) is a New York chapter of Junior Chamber International whose mission is to provide development opportunities that empower young people to create positive change. Please visit our website at www.philnyjaycees.org for more information on our organization and our future projects.