Health, Safety, and Community pride are the calling card of New Carlisle’s Family and Youth Initiative’s (FYI) popular Community Safety Day Festival. The 2017 event is quickly approaching and will take place from 4 p.m.—7 p.m. on Tues., Aug. 8 at Tecumseh High School.

Pat Benaszak, FYI’s Executive Director, says Community Safety Day as an effort to educate the community about health and safety issues, and to help foster positive relationships between families and their local law enforcement officers and first responders.

Overwhelming positive response from participants, and last year’s move to Tecumseh High School, is helping the event grow. Over 50 vendors & community service organizations, a children’s area, food trucks, entertainment, raffles, and much more will be available at this year’s event.

Benaszak is especially enthusiastic about a new program called Dominic’s Bikes that is being showcased at the 2017 Community Safety Day Festival.

Dominic’s Bikes is the brainchild of FYI’s DEFY Teen Leadership program. Through Dominic’s Bikes, children in foster care have the opportunity to receive either a new or refurbished bike and a new bike helmet. The program honors Dominic Maiorano, a 20-year-old FYI volunteer and employee who died as a result of injuries sustained in a motorcycle crash on May 23, 2016. Maiorano’s parents are Jeff and Kellye Maiorano.

Benaszak says the Maioranos are excited about the Dominic’s Bikes program, especially since their son had such a love for biking. “I am really proud of the DEFY members,” comments Benaszak, “(Dominic’s Bikes) is such a beautiful idea! Response to requests for donations has been overwhelming too. DEFY’s goal was to collect 100 bikes, and have around 200 right now...it’s truly amazing!”

Foster families interested in procuring a bike for their foster child(ren) must preregister by contacting FYI before Aug. 7 at (937) 845-0403, or by emailing Julie at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Supplies are limited. The bikes will be distributed at Safety Day. Four kids’ bikes will also be up for raffle for the general public during the event.

There are other new additions to the 2017 Community Safety Day.

Mercy Health’s Mobile Mammography Unit will provide an opportunity for ladies to get a 2-D or 3-D mammogram without a doctor’s orders. Most insurance providers will cover the screenings, and financial assistance options are available through Mercy Health. No-cost screenings are available for patients who qualify. Pre-registration is recommended, but walk-ins are welcome too. Pre-registered appointments take around 15 minutes to complete. To pre-register call (937) 523-9332. Photo IDs and insurance cards must be presented before testing.

Restoration Park Church is also organizing a clothing give-a-way for Safety Day. The church regularly holds clothing give-a-way events, but this is the first time such an event will be part of the Safety Day roster.

Many popular attractions will be returning to the educational event too.

Law enforcement officers will be on hand to offer general safety tips and answer questions. The K-9 unit will provide demonstrations; and the Sheriff’s department will be accepting old drugs as part of its drug take-back and disposal program.

In addition to law enforcement officers, local firefighters will offer fire-safety advice and information to festival-goers. Miami Valley Care Flight will also be available to answer questions and give an up-close peek at the Care Flight equipment.

The Second Harvest Mobile Food Pantry is making a special appearance at Safety Day again, and community members are encouraged to pick up a box of food to take home after enjoying the day’s activities.

“(Safety Day) is truly a festival for everyone!” exclaims Benaszak, “We really enjoy it, the community gets excited about it, and it really just keeps getting better every year!

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