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Safety Village celebrates successful 27th year

| 25 Jul 2017 | 03:42
    Sparta Ambulance Squad gave the children a tour of an ambulance and talked to them about when to dial 911 Photos provided by JWCS
    Sparta Ambulance Squad gave the children a tour of an ambulance and talked to them about when to dial 911 Photos provided by JWCS
    The Sussex County Sheriff Department and the Sparta Police Department spoke to the children about stranger danger
    The Sussex County Sheriff Department and the Sparta Police Department spoke to the children about stranger danger
    A Safety Village participant tries on a police hat
    A Safety Village participant tries on a police hat
    Smokey the Bear came with the New Jersey Forest Service to speak to the children about fire safety
    Smokey the Bear came with the New Jersey Forest Service to speak to the children about fire safety
    The children learned self defense from Sparta Karate
    The children learned self defense from Sparta Karate
    TransOptions taught the Safety Village participants about how to be safe when crossing the street
    TransOptions taught the Safety Village participants about how to be safe when crossing the street

SPARTA — The Junior Woman’s Club (JWCS) recently held at the Sparta Methodist Church its annual Safety Village program, a comprehensive and fun safety education curriculum for children entering kindergarten in the fall. The program was run this year by Lucy Lubertazzo, Joelle Geddie and Sonja O’Connell, all club members. With experience from past participation in this program, the women successfully organized various presenters to educate over 70 five-year-olds on safety protocols inside and outside of home, school, and neighborhood.
“My daughter completed the program in 2015 and enjoyed it so much that I was interested in volunteering my time to help organize the program for this fall’s class of incoming kindergarteners,” Joelle Geddie said.
In its 27th year, Safety Village featured many civil servants from the community who generously donated their time to educate and entertain the children. This program provides a great opportunity for the community to provide lifelong lessons to its children. Boy Scout Troop 150 taught the children what to bring on a hike to stay safe and what to do if they get lost in the woods. Sparta Karate taught an interactive lesson about stranger danger and what to do if you lose your parent in a store. Officer LeBar from the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office and Officer Hassloch from the Sparta Police Department each brought a patrol car and educated the children on how to stay safe in our neighborhoods. Smokey the Bear along with Ranger Todd Sacchiero from the NJ Forest Service warned against forest fires. Karen Lund from Fish & Wildlife Natural Research Center told the children to stand tall, look large, and yell to warn off the black bears. Learning traffic signals, pool rules, and hiking do's-and-don'ts were goals other presenters accomplished with clarity, energy and amusement.
For the fourth year in a row, parents of the participants were given the opportunity to volunteer to help escort the children to the safety presentations. “I really enjoyed being the leader of my daughter’s group and I even learned a few things from the presenters!” said Jill Weiss, whose child participated this year.
Once again local businesses helped offset the costs for this event. For the third year in a row, Sparta Pharmacy generously made a monetary contribution in addition to the bags that the children get to take home. Target and Stop & Shop provided snacks, beverages, and paper products needed for the four-day camp. All proceeds from Safety Village will be donated back to the community by the JWCS, a non-profit organization.
For the first time, the Sparta Methodist Church made available the use of their facility for the four days of the program. The Junior Woman’s Club is appreciative for its generosity and partnership in helping to put on yet another successful Safety Village line up.
JWCS is comprised of women from Sparta and surrounding towns that have come together as friends to foster goodwill and hold events and activities to bring the community together. Each year, the JWCS raises and distributes thousands of dollars to local organizations and charities. For more information about membership and upcoming events, visit the JWCS website at jwcsparta.org.