Safety Day at Tecumseh, Night Out in Enon signal start of school near

It just doesn’t seem possible. School starts in less than three weeks but it feels like summer vacation just began.

Two local events are good indicators that summer vacation is nearing its end.

On Tuesday Aug. 6, Enon will hold its National Night Out from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Indian Valley School.

On Thursday Aug. 8, it’s Safety Day at Tecumseh High School, 10000 West National Road from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Enon’s National Night Out has always been held at Indian Valley School, 510 Enon-Xenia Road, and has become the last hurrah before school begins. However this year the back and west side of the building is in the midst of construction of the new Greenon building complex.

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Enon Police Chief Lew Wilcox said that construction will not put a damper on the village’s annual Night Out event. He believes that all their regular activities will easily fit in the school’s parking lot and front lawn.

According to Wilcox, Speedway has become very supportive of the event and, in addition to sending some volunteers, will be providing free hot dogs, drinks, and snacks.

A DJ will be there to set the festive mood. There will be a balloon give away and the always-entertaining doughnut game. Emergency vehicles will be on site for young folks to explore. Parents will want to have their cameras handy.

Every year between 800 and 1,000 people attend this fun event.

Over the last 10 years Safety Day at Tecumseh High School has grown into a huge event that addresses needs all over Bethel Twp.; Medway, New Carlisle, Park Layne, Donnelsville and all the places in between. That is pretty much the entire Tecumseh Local School District.

Safety Day is hosted by Family Youth Initiative (FYI), 468 N. Dayton-Lakeview Rd. New Carlisle, OH 45344

The goal of FYI is to empower families and provide hope for future generations and it does just that in a friendly, all encompassing and loving way.

Last year’s Safety Day theme was super heroes, but this year’s focus is a return to a favorite theme of the past and a good one for every year.

“This year’s theme is honoring the people who keep us safe,” said Pat Banaszak, Co-Executive Director of FYI.

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Safety Day is the perfect way to showcase what FYI does all year long. In addition to safety tips and demonstrations, there are a wide variety of booths that focus on community and needs of local families.

Selection and preparation of healthy meals, resources for drug prevention and recovery, details about WIC, the mammography van, and information on bicycle safety are just a few of the areas covered.

For entertainment there will be a Sheriff’s department and firefighter tug of war, a K-9 demonstration and a food truck rally.

Once again parents will want to remember their cameras so they can take some priceless photos.

The Second Harvest Mobile Pantry will be there. Free clothing will be given away in addition to bike helmets.

Speaking of bikes, one of the big highlights of Safety Day is the giveaway of 150 bicycles by Dominic’s Bikes for Kids. Recipients are “local foster children and other at-risk youth.”

This organization honors the memory of a young man, Dominic Maiorano, who had helped with the bicycle donations before tragically passing away in a motorcycle accident. The goal of the organization is to “lessen the stress of moving within the foster care system.”

It is not too late to donate gently used bikes or funds to help purchase or facilitate repairs. Call 937-845-0403 and ask for Pat to make an appointment.

FYI is also responding to the needs of tornado survivors by collecting hygiene products. There will be a place at the Safety Day Event to drop of these donations.

Safety Day is 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 8.

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