Upcoming Kid Expo uses fun to teach how to keep children safe

By Owen Boss

GARDNER — In an effort to raise awareness about child health and safety issues for parents, caregivers and children, the Molly Bish Kid Expo has expanded this year’s annual event to include longer hours, more activities, demonstrations and giveaways. The event, which offers the several thousand attendees hands-on learning opportunities, will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Mount Wachusett Community College campus. The Molly Bish Institute for Child Health and Safety at Mount Wachusett Community College is sponsoring the expo with the support of numerous businesses and partners from throughout the region. College President Daniel Asquino said he was proud the college was hosting the event for the fifth time, and was deeply grateful to John and Magi Bish, and all of the event’s partners, for their commitment to keeping the children of Massachusetts safe and healthy. “The Molly Bish Kid Expo truly is a community effort,” said Dr. Asquino. “Hundreds of volunteers and community partners join together each year to present thousands of attendees with a fun and exciting day that also provides crucial information about health and safety matters.” Some of the ways the expo will help to make the area safer for children is through the distribution of 1,200 free bike helmets courtesy of Heywood Hospital and helping area children create their own Molly Bish Safety I.D. kits. Included in the schedule of events are tethered hot air balloon rides courtesy of the Department of Conservation and Recreation, a Massachusetts State Police “Convincer Rollover Simulator,” numerous safety vehicles open for exploration, demonstrations from the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office search and rescue dogs and Mobile Command Unit, a LifeFlight helicopter landing, a climbing wall, batting cage, karate demonstrations, and a health and safety resource fair featuring more than 30 community organizations. The Molly Bish Institute at Mount Wachusett Community College was established as a collaborative effort between the college and John and Magi Bish in memory of their 16-year-old daughter Molly, who was abducted while serving as a lifeguard at Comins Pond in Warren on June 27, 2000. oboss@thegardnernews.com

Appeared on Page 1 on 6/12/2008 (Vol. 206 No. 139)