In 1995 the Vermillion Rotary Club began a project to give all 2nd graders in the community a free bike helmet. Thirty-two years later, Vermillion Rotary is still handing out free bike helmets. Five 2nd grade classes from Vermillion Public School and one 2nd grade class from St Agnes Elementary, a total of 115 children, received a free bike helmet on Friday, April 24.
The event was held in the Vermillion Public School elementary gym. Volunteers from the community set up 6 stations the 2nd graders visited to learn about bike safety and other bike related topics. The stations were manned by USD Women's Triathlon (coach and two athletes), Greening Vermillion - Safety Aspects of Bicycles, the USD Police Department, Local bike enthusiasts sharing details of their bicycles and another sharing details of an electric bike, and Dr. Matt Krell shared x-rays of traumatic injuries related to biking accidents.
Vermillion Medical Clinic splits the cost of the helmets with the Vermillion Rotary Club and helps with the organization of the event.
Volunteers from Vermillion Rotary and Vermillion Rotaract helped hand out and fit the helmets.