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By Josie Sellers
Nash Hoerig was ready for graduation after several days of learning a variety of lessons at Safety Town . “ I loved going on the tricycles ,” he said .
Hoerig was one of 50 children who attended Safety Town at the Coshocton County Fairgrounds . The program is for children entering kindergarten .
The tricycles Hoerig liked were peddled around a miniature city and helped children learn lessons on topics such as street signs and bike rules . They also were taught about bus safety , stranger danger , how to be safe around water and more . Community volunteers helped teach the lessons and kept the activities running smoothly .
“ I enjoy the kids and having fun with them ,” said Kyle Kempf , volunteer .
Kempf remembers going to the program as a child .
“ I loved it ,” he said . “ It was fun , and you learned how to be safe .”
Kempf ’ s sister Kristi Kempf has volunteered with programs like this since she was 12 or 13 .
“ I like being around the kids ,” she said . “ Watching them get to use the fire hose is hilarious .”
Tonya Cooper has been involved with the program since her children were young . She was introduced to it by her motherin-law Martha Bradford , another active volunteer .
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“ A lot of the kids don ’ t know about bike safety , which side of the road to be on and how to watch for cars ,” Cooper said .
“A lot of the kids don ’ t know about bike safety , which side of the road to be on and how to watch for cars .” Tonya Cooper
“ They struggle sometimes with stopping at the stop signs and bumping into each other , but it ’ s good for them to learn the rules
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to follow . I love the kids and love interacting with them .”
Safety Town , previously known as Safety City , was a Red Cross program , but Red Cross is moving in a different direction and has migrated away from these local programs and will no longer be involved . Longtime volunteers are regrouping and creating a new nonprofit to support Safety Town , swimming lessons and lifeguard classes .
Sher Alloway is in the process of setting up a 501 ( c )( 3 ) for Ann and Martha ’ s Kids and building a board and list of advisors for the organization . For information call Alloway at 740-202-0898 or email sheralloway @ gmail . com . She is thankful to all those who helped make this year ’ s program possible .
Safety Town T-shirts and backpacks were provided to all of the kids by Ty Smith and Brandon Smith and families , owners of Lity Scrap Yard .
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Submitted
Children peddled around their own little town to learn about bike safety and obeying street signs .
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