BCAA Road Safety Foundation expands program to put thousands more children in child car seats

Size of the first-year investment triples to meet the need for child car seats in B.C.

BURNABY, BC, Aug. 20, 2013 /CNW/ - BCAA Road Safety Foundation's (RSF) Community Child Car Seat Program, offered in partnership with United Way of the Lower Mainland, will now distribute almost 3,400 child car seats to non-profit agencies and community groups this year. This comes after the Foundation nearly tripled its first year investment in the program to almost $300,000 to meet high demand for the program.

"After introducing our program in April, we received an overwhelming number of applications from community groups across the province," says Tim Condon, BCAA President and CEO. "We quickly realized the need was greater than anticipated and there was more opportunity for us to help make sure families and other caregivers are able to transport their children safely."

Originally committing $100,000 annually for the next five years, the BCAA RSF nearly tripled its first year investment in its Community Child Car Seat Program, to provide almost 3,400 child car seats to community groups this year—2,400 more than originally anticipated.

It's estimated that as many as five per cent of British Columbians aren't using a child car seat when transporting children, yet a correctly used child car or booster seat is the most effective tool to reduce the risk of child injury or death on the roads.

With car crashes being one of the leading causes of accidental death among children in B.C., the BCAA RSF launched its Community Child Car Seat Program in partnership with United Way of the Lower Mainland to help keep children safer when travelling on B.C. roads. Non-profit agencies and community groups that work with children age nine and under were invited to apply to the program to receive child car seats for use within their program or to provide to the families they serve.

"Working with partners like BCAA puts United Way's prevention focus to good, practical use. United Way is dedicated to creating healthy, caring and inclusive communities. We have a long history with BCAA and are grateful for their ongoing support," Michael McKnight, President and CEO, United Way of the Lower Mainland.

This year's application period for the program ran between April 2 and May 14. The 212 successful applicant organizations will receive child car seats for use within their existing programs, or to provide to client families in need, this fall. Next year's application period is slated to begin in April 2014.

About BCAA
BCAA is one of the most trusted organizations in British Columbia, serving one-in-four B.C. households. With over 800,000 Members, BCAA provides an array of award-winning home, auto and travel insurance products and services, and roadside assistance. BCAA has also received the 2012 J.D. Power and Associates award for "Highest Customer Satisfaction among Home Insurance Providers in Western Canada". Now in its 107^th year, BCAA has over $400 million in annual sales, 27 locations and over 800 employees. To learn more about the benefits of BCAA Membership, visit bcaa.com. For more information on the BCAA Road Safety Foundation visit BCAARoadSafety.com.

About United Way of the Lower Mainland
United Way is a charitable organization established over 80 years ago to support those in need in Metro Vancouver. United Way of the Lower Mainland is dedicated to creating healthy, caring and inclusive communities by breaking the cycle of poverty, helping school-age children make the right life choices, and supporting seniors to age with dignity. UWLM funds more than 150 agencies throughout the Lower Mainland to deliver more than 450 programs and services. Learn more at www.uwlm.ca.

 

SOURCE: British Columbia Automobile Association

Editor's notes

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