August 13 Austin ISD Back to School Bash

Alissa Schram, Capital Metro Community Involvement Coordinator, and I handed out Capital Metro and Operation Lifesaver materials at the Austin ISD "Back to School Bash" on Saturday, August 13, from 9:00-12:00 noon.  The "Bash" is a major community event at which children's backpacks, bike helmets and other stuff is given away while up to 40 or 50 community organizations hand out educational materials on particular topics.  Our table handed out piggybanks that look like MetroRail trainsets (some 500 of them, until we ran out).  We also had a lot of different Capital Metro pamphlets and rail safety items, including refrigerator magnets, rulers, activity books, book covers, etc.  I would estimate we probably had at least 750 folks come by our table.  I brought my Railroad Crossing sign so that helped attract folks.  I took home whatever was left over so we have more material for future safety fairs.  Best of all, the Bash was indoors, with air-conditioning.  I participated in this event on behalf of Railroad Partners, Inc. (RPI), a rail corridor preservation group (see railroadpartners.com) which supports rail safety in all railroad corridors.

Here's some photos:

August 6 RPI Motorcar Exhibit at Highland Mall Safety Fair

I took my Woodings CBI down to the Highland Mall in Austin today for their safety fair.  Set up the motorcar at the West Entrance, close by two APD motorcycles, the SWAT tactical response vehicle, the APD Bomb Squad (with robot bomb handlers), and an AFD fire truck.  Lucky for me I brought the EZ-Up or I would have melted away.  The fair was from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm and by 3:00 it was 105 degrees.  Here's what my exhibit looked like:

I set up my Operation Lifesaver graphics and was able to give seven presentations to a total of 17 adults and 17 kids.  I'm satisfied with that.  I also met two persons who asked for my card to call later about scheduling an OL presentation for their schools in the Austin area.  And I handed out a bunch of railroad safety flyers and brochures.  Here's a photo of me with some kids I gave a presentation to:

We can notch up another volunteer job on behalf of Capital Metro.  Just when I'm thinking this heat is too much, I remember the Leander Safety Fair in December 2009, when the temp started out about 38 and ended up around 45.  Weather can be a bear at times but at least we're getting the word out.