Helmet Donation Drive To Ensure Temecula Kids 'Caught With Helmets On'

TEMECULA, CA—Temecula's campaign to support bicycle helmet safety is ramping into its second season with a bicycle helmet drive across the city. Residents have until the end of May to donate a new helmet of any size to a needy child.

Donation boxes are in place across the city, and all helmets will be distributed to local Cla Fire, CHP, and Temecula Sheriff's Deputies to be donated to area youth in need.

With the rising popularity of e-bikes, drivers should anticipate more youth to be outside enjoying the city's trails and bike lanes, Teemcula's City Manager Aaron Adams said. "For positive reinforcement, deputies around town are 'catching kids with their helmets on.' The reward? Gift certificates for treats."

The "Caught With Your Helmet On" program is the brainchild of local nurse practitioner Angelyn Miracle-Fowler. For the past year, she has worked with local business owners, the California Highway Patrol, the Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department, and the Riverside County Sheriff's Department to reward teens seen wearing their helmets while riding bicycles.

Miracle-Fowler has worked in pediatric offices of Temecula Valley for over 20 years. During that time, she's witnessed numerous incidents where a helmet would have made a tremendous difference on a skateboard when they were struck by a car, she said. Instead of cautionary tales, she believes spreading positive reinforcement will go a long way toward getting the message through.

How it works: When a first responder spots a child wearing their helmet, they will stop and reward them for being "Caught With Your Helmet On." Kids will receive a gift certificate for a local purchase of pizza, ice cream, cookies, or other treats.

"The goal of this program is to increase bicycle safety in our community and continue to strengthen the relationships between our first responders and our youth," she said.

According to Adams, there is one week left for the donations at these drop-off locations:

• Temecula City Hall
• All Temecula Fire Stations
• Old Town Temecula Sheriff's Station
• CHP Temecula Office
• Old Town Bicycle Company
• Pedego Temecula
• Doh Creamery
• Tastea on Temecula Parkway
• Nothing Bundt Cakes
• The Cookie Crew
• Pizza Factory: Temecula & French Valley
• Starbucks on Temecula, Meadows parkways
• Firehouse Subs
• Pizza Guys
• Buffalo Wild Wings
• Mariposa Ice Cream
• Dicks Sporting Goods
• and more.

Learn more about the Caught With Your Helmet program on their Facebook Page.