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Community Springs into Action for Safety Town — Teen Volunteers Still Needed

By Andrea Fereshteh
Local businesses and individuals have sprung into action to support an effort by the MOMS Club of Hopewell Valley to bring the nationally recognized Safety Town educational program to students in the district.  Already established in nearby communities, Safety Town provides rising Kindergarteners with an introduction to safety awareness in a safe, fun and constructive play environment.   
“The Hopewell Valley YMCA has been a major partner in collaborating with us to offer Safety Town under their umbrella of pre-school programs and we have received a total of 13 grants, donations and sponsorships from both local and national companies in support of this effort,” said Jackie Flannery, MOMS Club Treasurer and head of fundraising for the project.
During the past year, the MOMS Club also has held several grass-roots fundraisers including a Kids Fun Run for 75 participants, a yard sale, a used printer cartridge and small electronics recycling drive, and participated in two Clean Communities Days to pick up trash from local streets.
In addition to overwhelming community support, a number of individuals have volunteered time and effort to make Safety Town a reality this summer. A local pre-school teacher will be assisted by two junior instructors and nearly two dozen youth volunteers to lead the curriculum.
“We are thrilled that Safety Town has already reached our enrollment goal of 40 registered participants,” said Andrea Stover, MOMS Club member and coordinator of the effort.  “We are still seeking a number of teen volunteers to help lead the children in safety instruction. It’s a great opportunity to engage with the local community and earn service hours over the summer.”
Youth at least 13 years old are eligible to apply to work with the children attending Safety Town as they learn about and practice their safety skills. All teens who successfully complete the Safety Town program will receive a letter of recommendation and earn 16 service hours for completing the session.
Volunteer applications are available for teens interested in helping with the inaugural session of Safety Town to be held June 25-29 at Hopewell Elementary School are available online at www.hvymca.org/preschool/safety-town.  The deadline for applications is Friday, June 8.
Hopewell Valley Safety Town Sponsors
Hopewell Twsp PBA Local #342                                                                  Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Mid-Atlantic Foundation for Safety and Education                                          CSX Corporate Citizenship           
Hopewell Harvest Fair                                                                                  PNC Bank
Hopewell Valley YMCA
Princeton Nassau Pediatrics                                                                        PEAC Health and Fitness
Hopewell Valley Community Bank                                                               Knapp’s Cyclery
Motion Gymnastics                                                                                     JaZams