Dozens of car seats have been made available for Okanagan families that are in need of keeping their young passengers safe.
A part of a Child Safety Initiative pilot project, the United Way Central and South Okanagan-Similkameen took a road trip on Oct. 16 to deliver new car seats to community organizations in six communities – Penticton, Peachland, Summerland, Oliver, Keremeos and Princeton.
“Any family in the community can let us know they’re in need of a carseat,” said Tanya Behardien, executive director of Penticton and District Community Resources Society (PDCRS) – which received 10 car seats.
It wasn’t long after receiving the car seats before the PDCRS was able to share one with a deserving parent.
“While a young mom was filling out forms to access the childcare subsidy, we happened to ask her while we were unloading the carseats if she was in need of a car seat – and indeed she was,” Behardien said. “It was a great opportunity for us to give one out right away first thing in the morning.”
Through the efforts of their ongoing childcare programs, Behardien said the local resource society actively stays in touch with 350-400 families.
“We’re very aware of their circumstances as well as whether or not they may be in need of car seats.”
The 10 seats delivered to Penticton were among more than 80 that each cost $165 from Costco, though the retailer assisted the United Way by shaving $1,000 off the bill. Also supporting the initiative is the Kelowna General Hospital Foundation and the Central Okanagan Foundation, as well as Budget Car and Truck Rental, which donated the use of one of its trucks for delivery.
“When you think about how hard families are working and they’re really trying to pull different aspects of their life together and take care of any variety of needs, carseats aren’t cheap, they can expire and sometimes you have one that fits your child and then they outgrow it,” Behardien said.
To alleviate the costs associated with growing children, the United Way donated car seats that can be adjusted.
“They’re convertible carseat that are good basically from birth to the time they weigh 65 pounds,” said Marianne Dahl, marketing and events co-ordinator for United Way Central and South Okanagan/Similkameen.
Dahl, who was part of the team to deliver the equipment, said statistics on poverty are difficult to measure, but recalled hearing that 22 per cent of families living in Central and South Okanagan are considered low income.
“There’s a great need in our region, so those that donate to the United Way and other foundations want to give where they live, and this is one way we can give back.”
Families in need of a car seat can contact the PDCRS at 250-492-5814, or by dropping into the building at 330 Ellis St.
