Child safety Initiative

Photo: Contributed

The United Way Central and South Okanagan/Similkameen delivered car seats to the Westbank First Nation Community Services department yesterday as the final delivery of the Child Safety Initiative, a unique partnership with KGH Foundation and Central Okanagan Foundation. This year, 50 car seats were distributed in the Central Okanagan to Lake Country Health Planning, Westbank First Nation, KGH and Kelowna Community Resources, with a few more still to be allocated as the need arises.
 
A total of 84 car seats were distributed in the last two weeks to 9 partner agencies in the Central and South Okanagan/Similkameen. Costco Kelowna orders the seats at a discounted price and Budget Car and Truck Rental provided the cube van for the deliveries in the South. The Child Safety Initiative enables families in need to apply for a car seat from one of the partner agencies.
 
BCAA estimates that as many as five per cent – roughly 23,000 – of children in British Columbia don’t use a child car seat when travelling by car, despite the clear advantages to using one. The unfortunate reality is that some kids go unprotected because their family simply cannot afford a car seat. Family poverty is a complex issue and affects 1 in 5 children in British Columbia.
 
“Helping children and youth in our community reach their full potential is a priority for the United Way CSO through our All That Kids Can Be investments and initiatives,” says Helen Jackman, Executive Director of United Way CSO. “The safety and well-being of children is vital part of this strategy and the drive behind the Child Safety Initiative.”