By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE – A local cell phone business teamed up recently with local emergency personnel and Anah Temple Shrine Klowns to hold Safety Day activities designed to teach families – and especially children – how to stay safe in various situations.
U.S. Cellular’s Main Street office served as the focal point for the event held on May 19.
“U.S. Cellular teamed up with local officials to provide safety tips to interested individuals who stopped by between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the Main Street office. The Presque Isle Fire Department were on site with their Smoke House, store staff were on hand to teach children how to dial 9-1-1 on a cell phone and parents were advised on how to sign up for wireless Amber Alerts,” said Kelly Whalen, of Whalen Public & Media Relations, on behalf of U.S. Cellular.
In addition to free advice, those participating in the event were offered refreshments, safety brochures and other freebies. Parents concerned about their children’s safety were given the opportunity to have their children’s fingerprints taken and videos made of the child so that should the child turn up missing, there would be information available to provide accurate identification.
“With summer sun a concern, TAMC was on hand to offer sun safety tips. We teamed up with local emergency services of the area to teach ways families can stay safe in a number of situations,” said Gary Hebert, store manager.
Hebert said the fire department was a big hit with their Smoke House, advising visitors how to survive in the event of a fire.
“Shriners were at the Rec Center doing videos of kids, fingerprinting and making dental impressions,” said Hebert.
The event, according to Hebert, was U.S. Cellular’s way of, “giving back to the community.”
“It’s just one way we show our support in the communities we do business in,” said Hebert, noting that this isn’t the first time U.S. Cellular has focused on making life safer or better for others.
“On Earth Day, the business has taken part in clean-up projects. We’ve worked with the United Way, offering free calls on holidays to residents of the homeless shelter. We also provide cellular service for law enforcement to give out to any individual in a domestic violence situation – the Battered Women’s Project – so those needing help are able to contact emergency personnel,” added Hebert.
Such programs have been going on for eight or nine years in all U.S. Cellular markets, said Hebert.
“That’s throughout the country. Phone service is provided as a deterrent. A person is less likely to try something if they know the other person can call for help,” said Hebert.
Several children could be seen checking out the Smoke House, with the assistance of local firefighters.
“The house provides a realistic example of what happens during a fire but as a controlled demonstration. It’s become a popular tool in teaching fire safety,” said Assistant Fire Chief Rich Wark.
Safety was no clowning matter at the Rec Center, as Shrine Klowns Ruffles, Poe Goe and Jax helped District Deputy Grand Master David W. King, of Masonic District 1, collect data on children to help parents keep them safe.
Andrea Gregg brought her two children, Clay and Violet, to get their videos made and have their fingerprints and dental impressions taken.
“This is a great idea. In the event of an emergency, its nice to have (this information),” said Gregg.
King said while Shriners are known best for making kids smile at parades and the annual circus, children’s health and safety are the primary focus of many of their events.
“If we can do something to make life better for a child – even if it’s only one child – we’ll do it. Whether it’s fingerprints, dental impressions or the video, if we can keep even one child safe, it makes the day worthwhile,” said King.
