MEDIA ADVISORY/PHOTO OPPORTUNITY: Safe Kids Allegheny County, FedEx and Local Children Join Together for International Walk to School Day
WHO: Safe Kids Allegheny County (Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC is lead agency), FedEx, Bellevue Elementary School
WHAT: Safe Kids Allegheny County and FedEx volunteers will lead local activities as part of International Walk to School Day 2009. Volunteers will teach children from Bellevue Elementary School how to be safe pedestrians as they walk to and from school on International Walk to School Day.
More than 400 children from Bellevue Elementary School will participate in this year’s activities as part of the Safe Kids Walk This Way program. 2009 marks the 10-year anniversary of the Safe Kids Walk This Way pedestrian safety program and the partnership with program sponsor FedEx.
WHEN: 7:30 to 9 a.m., Wednesday, Oct. 7
WHERE: Bellevue Elementary School, 435 Lincoln Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15202
WHY: On Oct. 7, 190 Safe Kids coalitions across the country will hold more than 600 International Walk to School Day activities. In addition to highlighting pedestrian safety, the coalitions will spotlight a particular pedestrian danger or issue in their communities. Safe Kids Allegheny County will focus on safe and proper street crossing.
National data shows that child pedestrian injury remains the second leading cause of unintentional injury death among children ages 5 to 14 in the U.S. Across the country each year, approximately 585 children ages newborn to 14 are killed and there are 33,518 visits to the emergency room due to non-fatal pedestrian injuries.
Last year in Allegheny County, more than 1,074 children between ages newborn to 14 were treated in emergency rooms as a result of pedestrian injuries. Ten children died of their injuries. The activities of Safe Kids Allegheny County on International Walk to School Day are designed to help educate children and families about the importance of pedestrian safety.
About Safe Kids Allegheny County
Safe Kids Allegheny County works to prevent unintentional childhood injury, the leading cause of death and disability to children ages 1 to 14. Safe Kids Allegheny County is a member of Safe Kids Worldwide, a global network of organizations dedicated to preventing unintentional injury. Safe Kids Allegheny County was founded in 1992 and is led by Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC.
About FedEx Corp.
FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) provides customers and businesses worldwide with a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and business services. With annual revenues of $34 billion, the company offers integrated business applications through operating companies competing collectively and managed collaboratively, under the respected FedEx brand. Consistently ranked among the world's most admired and trusted employers, FedEx inspires its more than 275,000 team members to remain “absolutely, positively” focused on safety, the highest ethical and professional standards and the needs of their customers and communities. For more information, visit http://news.van.fedex.com.
About International Walk to School Day
International Walk to School Day is dedicated to walking to school with a purpose — to promote physical activity, safety, health and concern for the environment. International Walk to School Day is promoted nationally by The Partnership for a Walkable America. Fore more information, visit www.walktoschool.org.