Safe Kids Celebrates 20 Years in San Angelo

Cupcakes adorned the tables inside the Bentwood Country Club Clubhouse yesterday for a birthday party given for Safe Kids San Angelo (SKSA). San Angelo Community Medical Center (SACMC), who sponsored the event, has also been the lead supporting agency for SKSA for 20 years.

 “Today’s event marks 20 years that Safe Kids San Angelo has been in service to families in the Concho Valley,” said Catie Widenhofer, SKSA Coalition Coordinator.  “Three out of four car seats are installed improperly, and that’s still the leading killer of our children ages 4 to 14. It is our job to spread safety awareness so that fatalities can be prevented.”

Widenhofer travels all over west Texas educating parents and children in safety workshops and sports clinics that help parents and caregivers prevent childhood injuries, including proper installation of car seats.  “We do over 350 events a year and we service 14 counties, without the support of SACMC and others none of that would be possible,” Widenhofer said.

Widenhofer was awarded with a plaque from SACMC for more than 20 years of service, helping San Angelo and surrounding areas grow up safer through her passion for safety education.
The SKSA Executive Board Members, along with volunteers and Goodfellow Air Force Base were asked to stand and given a round of applause for their years of outstanding support.

With help from Wall Elementary student, Taryn Briley, Widenhofer gave out the SKSA Championship awards to the following: Mayor Morrison and Daniel Velenzuela accepted for the City of San Angelo; Chief Tim Vasquez of the SAPD accepted for the police department; Linda Ross accepted for the Center for Community Wellness, Engagement and Development and The Laura W. Bush Institute for Women’s Health; Tom Early accepted for the San Angelo Health Foundation; Dr. Carol Ann Bonds accepted for the SAISD and SACMC was accepted by Jeremy Riney, CEO of the hospital.

Dr. Jane Rider was also recognized and given an award for the important part she played in bringing Safe Kids to San Angelo, 20 years ago by encouraging SACMC to be a lead agency.