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Christy Hubbard (L) awarded 'Outstanding Local
Coordinator' Safe Kids Columbus
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Hubbard Recognized Nationally as a Safe Kids
Champion
Out of more than 600 state and local Safe Kids Coalition
Coordinators throughout the United States, Christy
Hubbard, Coordinator of Safe Kids Columbus, Georiga, was
recently recognized as Outstanding Local Coordinator,
one of the coveted Safe Kids Champion Awards. Christy
Hubbard received the award from Kate Carr, President and
CEO of Safe Kids Worldwide.
"Our staff in Washington relies on the dedicated, passionate
and inspiring people at the local level who take our injury
prevention messages out into their own communities," said
Carr. "As a grassroots organization, we would not be able to
deliver vital safety knowledge to parents and caregivers
everywhere without our network of coalitions. Hubbard and
Safe Kids Columbus are key ingredients to our success."
Safe Kids Columbus is a member of Safe Kids USA, one of 20
Safe Kids Worldwide member countries with a mission of
preventing unintentional childhood injury. The award for
'Outstanding Local Coordinator' reflects Christy's ability
to help Safe Kids Columbus conduct successful, hands-on
child safety programs that reach many throughout Columbus's
community. In 2011, Safe Kids Columbus' many
accomplishments included: developing the 1st Annual Baby
Expo that served 4,000 expectant parents and children,
expanded Helmet Distributions by creating sponsorships
serving approximately 2,000 parents and children, became a
United Way Grantee, expanded Car Seat program to Martin Army
as well as added additional class for children in NICU at
Columbus Regional, created a Water Safety Expo, and
initiated a Photo Journalism project with Girls Incorporated
to promote Pedestrian Safety. Thus far in 2011, they have
educated approximately 18,000 people with child safety
messages.
"Every local Safe Kids coalition has saved countless lives.
To be singled out of such a caring group of advocates is a
huge vote of confidence for the work that Safe Kids Columbus
does every day," said Hubbard. "I feel quite honored to be
able to work on behalf of an organization dedicated to
saving the lives of children in and around the Columbus
area."
The unintentional childhood injury death rate among
children ages 14 and under in the U.S. has declined by
51 percent from 1987 to 2010. Carr added, "With the
leadership of coordinators like Christy Hubbard, our
organization is able to continue our efforts in
educating families about the importance of being safe as
we work together to eliminate childhood injury
worldwide."
Safe Kids Columbus works to prevent unintentional
childhood injury, the leading cause of death and
disability to children ages 1 to 14. Its members include
250 community volunteers from the Columbus Health
Department, school systems, Fire Department, Columbus
Police Department, Columbus State University, United
Way, Columbus Parks and Recreation, Columbus Civic
Center, Columbus Regional, and Corporate Companies. Safe
Kids Columbus was founded in 1998 and is led by Columbus
Department of Public Health.
-Story by Pam Fair, West Central Health District
Public Information Officer
