by Carol Anders, Times-Union Correspondent
The Warsaw Applebee’s location will host a Child Safety Day on Saturday to promote awareness of the Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation.
According to Applebee’s General Manager Andrew Balke, all 159 locations within their district are holding events to help the ALSF raise funds for research into new treatments and cures for all children battling cancer.
The event will be held in the Center Street Applebee’s parking lot from 9 a.m. to noon. Applebee’s will have an old fashioned lemonade stand and bake sale to raise funds for ALSF.
One boy and one girl will win bicycles if their name is drawn from the raffle drawing.
Saturday’s event also includes a number of local organizations dedicated to educating parents, grandparents and caregivers on ways to protect children.
Certified car seat educators will be on hand to make sure the seats are properly installed, appropriate for a child’s height and weight, and straps are secure. Car seats will be provided free of charge for those needing a replacement.
A DARE officer from the Warsaw Police Department, a firefighter from the Warsaw Fire Department and EMTs will have give-a-ways and handouts to remind kids to put safety first. Kids will be able to tour a fire truck and an ambulance.
Knowing where and how to safely ride bikes is especially important in the summer when bicycles provide a means of transportation for many kids going to and from activities. Applebee’s will work with a bike safety expert to fit helmets for all ages. Helmets will be handed out free as long as supplies last.
Applebee’s will have free life jackets fitted by a water safety specialist as long as supplies last.
There will be free popcorn throughout the morning and every child will receive a coupon for a complimentary kid’s meal when used with a paid entrée.
Balke said, “We hope to have a large turnout to reach as many kids as possible.”
