CLEARLAKE OAKS — Monday will mark the one year anniversary of the Clearlake Oaks Moose Lodge”s free neck supports for infants and children program.
Since its implementation, more than $3,000 in vital safety devices has been delivered through the program.
“We are very pleased with the way the program is going. As of year to date we have spent more than $3,000 in neck supports and we figure that is up to 1,500 children we may have saved,” Byron Blackwell, administrator and program chairman said. “The main way we get these to the community is through St. Helena Hospital Clearlake and Sonoma Valley Hospital.
These facilities have really embraced this project, which tells us that it is important.”
The implementation date holds great significance for Blackwell. “We chose Feb. 15 to start this program because that is my son”s birthday and he would have been 11 this year,” Blackwell said. “I honestly believe if my son would have had a neck support device he would have been spared in the vehicle accident that took his life; that”s why this is such a pet project for the Moose Lodge because it struck the members and me, especially, so hard.”
Blackwell continued, “Neck safety devices are so often overlooked, so overlooked that they don”t even keep statistics on how many children die from not having neck support.”
Blackwell said that it is vital that every child from birth to age five have a neck support device while traveling in a vehicle. While the devices are primarily distributed to parents of newborns at St. Helena Hospital Clearlake and Sonoma Valley Hospital, Blackwell said there are other ways to obtain one.
“We also distribute them every chance we get at community events such as the annual Safety Fair hosted by Walmart. We gave away 50 neck supports last year and we anticipate giving more away as awareness rises,” Blackwell said.
“People can feel free to contact the Moose Lodge as well. One will be provided to them free of charge.”
Blackwell said the Moose Lodge appreciates those who have contributed to the program thus far including Dr. and Mrs. Ruben de los Santos, Dr. Paula Dhanda, Dr. Debi Sally, Rotary Club of Clearlake and the Lakeshore Lions Club.
For more information or to donate to the program contact Moose Lodge No. 2284 in Clearlake Oaks at 998-3740.
Contact South County reporter Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com or call her directly at 994-6444, ext. 11.
