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Families lined up on a sweltering Thursday afternoon for an opportunity to meet local law enforcement officials and first responders. They also picked up free school supplies, played games, received free bike helmets, and gathered a wealth of safety information at the Family and Youth Initiatives’ (FYI) sixth annual “Safety Day.” The event took place on Aug. 11 at Tecumseh High School.

According to the Executive Director of FYI, Pat Benaszak, Safety Day is an effort to help foster positive relationships between families and local law enforcement and first responders. The theme of the 2016 Safety Day was “Meet the Faces Behind the Badges.”

The day was also dedicated, in part, to former FYI volunteer and employee, Dominic Maiorano, who died as a result of injuries sustained in a motorcycle crash with a farm tractor on May 23, 2016. He was 20-years-old. Maiorano’s parents, Jeff and Kellye, attended the Safety Day event. They say their son’s favorite part of working with FYI was helping with outdoor projects. Kellye also says their son took motorcycle safety seriously and had begun taking classes and learning from other riders.

Some of the Safety Day activities incorporated Dominic’s story.

The sweltering heat gave way to a crushing downpour just as Tecumseh AFJROTC members opened a ceremony to honor law enforcement and first responders, all of whom were lined up on the Tecumseh High School Track. Each person resolutely stood in the pouring rain, getting soaked through as each branch of service was recognized for their work.

As the rain came down, the crowds thinned out, but many of the nearly 55 booths and presentations continued handing out safety information and school supplies. Most of the children’s activities, including bounce houses, continued as well.

Law enforcement officers offered general safety tips, car seat safety, K-9 demonstrations and the Sheriff’s drug take-back van.

Firefighters offered fire-safety advice and information.

The Second Harvest Mobile Food Pantry was also on hand for families.

Several muddy Tug of War matches between the Tecumseh High School Football team, law enforcement officers, and firefighters, were a highlight of the afternoon. However, the victory of law enforcement officers over the firefighters was marred due to cheating on behalf of the referee, who jumped in to help his fellow law enforcement officers win the match. Participants determined everyone was too tired for a fairer re-match.

The Tecumseh High School Marching Band also entertained attendees.

Response to the event was overwhelmingly positive by both participants and families.

Lt. Brian Aller, Commander of the State Highway Patrol Springfield Post says this is the first Safety Day the Highway Patrol has participated in, and they can’t wait to come back next year. Lt. Aller’s best safety tip is, “Wear seatbelts at all times!”

Bethel Township Firefighters, Derek Brocious, Lt. Craig Hillman, and Shaun Arthur say the event is great because “people get to have fun while learning more about what we do.” Lt. Hillman and Arthur say their number one safety tip is, “Get smoke alarms!” Brocious says, “Don’t play around with calling 911.”

Fourth-Grader, Naudia St.Luce, says she loved Safety Day, “Safety Day is pretty cool! They always talk about how children can be safe...and I think they’re just a good safety team!” She also was taken with CareFlight, saying she wants to be a helicopter pilot when she grows up because, “They help people who are really sick and keep them safe so they can save their lives.”

Naudia says her number one safety tip is, “Look both ways before crossing the street!”

Clark County Sheriff, Gene Kelly, has been involved with Safety Day since its inception. Kelly says he believes, “Safety Day is a wonderful opportunity for kids and families to learn what it is like to be in law enforcement and to actually get safety tips from us...It’s just a great day in general and I’m glad to be a part of it.

Although disappointed by the rain, Benaszak says she is happy the event went so well and that feedback was great overall. “In spite of the rain, everyone is having a great time and are in good spirits. I’m so glad we had this at Tecumseh this year, it worked out really well and more people could participate. I’m also grateful to the many, many people who helped make this possible!” Benaszak says her number one safety tips are, “Be street smart. Don’t walk alone at night or in an unfamiliar area...also, love your kids every day by keeping them safe.”

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