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Kids’ Connection offers fingerprinting, fun safety lessons
October 20, 2004 | |||||
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KOKOMO, Ind.—IU Kokomo nursing students will present Kids’ Connection, a free event for families on Saturday, October 30. Kids’ Connection mixes serious education about keeping children safe with games, door prizes and entertainment. Kokomo Mayor Matt McKillip will help kick off activities in the Kelley Student Center at noon; the event runs through 4 p.m. The debut of Kids’ Connection in November 2002 drew hundreds of visitors to campus, interested in having their children fingerprinted for identification purposes. Cadets of the Kokomo Police Department Exploring Post will be on hand again this year, to fingerprint youngsters and gather a few strands of their hair as a DNA sample. Nursing students will weigh children, measure their height and record basic medical information. Diaper Express will provide special folders for preserving the prints, hair and personal data; the folders will be given to accompanying parents for safekeeping. More safety lessons will be offered by the Kokomo Fire Department, physicians of St. Vincent Health St. Joseph Hospital, Powerhouse Gym, Howard County Child Protection Services, Prevent Abuse of Howard County and the Healthy Families Program. McGruff the Crime Dog will make a special appearance, courtesy of the Kokomo Police Department. Visitors can win door prizes such as a basketball signed by IU men’s basketball coach Mike Davis, a computer desk, Burger King Kid’s Meal cards and copies of Norman Bridwell’s Clifford At the Circus. Prize donors include Staples, Sun City Tan, the IUK Bookstore and the IU Kokomo Alumni Association. Nine IU Kokomo seniors have organized Kids’ Connection, as a project for their Community Nursing course taught by Associate Professor of Nursing Nancy Schlapman, Ph.D. Coordinators are April Weaver, Bunker Hill; Sarah Graham, Indianapolis; Donald Andrews, Michelle Oswald and Rachel Wagner, Kokomo; Michelle Ross, Logansport; Amber Harvey, Marion; and Michelle Miller and Carrie Sisson, Peru. They’ve received support from students in the Nursing Freshman Seminar, taught by adjunct instructor Sherri Rinehart. The freshmen are preparing Kids’ Connection displays on dental and personal hygiene, child abuse, safety around strangers, and diet and exercise. Participating students include Sarah Coate and Zachary Manton, Greentown; Erika Chavez, April Click, Heidi Lamb, Randi Ridenour and Natalie Ridgeway, Kokomo; Stephanie York, Logansport; Brandy Lambert, Macy; MariAnna DeRossett and Amanda Detherage, Marion; Nicole Drumm, Monon; Sarah Kiggins, Noblesville; Amanda Astarita, Hannah Gill, Elizabeth Keefer and Tabitha Laffin, Peru; Megan Cawby, Rochester; Katie Coombs, Jacquelyn Handy, Anastasia Hensley and Rebekah Hunt, Russiaville; Casey Walton, Sheridan; and Kendra Sprague, Tipton. For more information on Kids’ Connection, contact Donald Andrews at (765) 210-6989 or drandrew@iuk.edu.
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