Sneaking in Safety, at Holiday Fun Fest
STORY BY BETSY CROWFOOT, ORANGE COUNTY CHAPTER
Hundreds of youngsters left the annual Red Cross Children’s Safety Festival in Santa Ana last month with more than just holiday presents. During the three-and-a-half-hour event, each received a gift even more valuable than the games, dolls, trucks and toys they took home: they got the gift of safety.“They come here for a fun time, for the games, activities, and toys,” said Beth Ratcliff, the Red Cross Regional Youth Volunteer Coordinator who organized the December 9 field day. “But we also try to sneak in valuable education on safety.
“Water safety, earthquake safety, bicycle, electrical, railroad, fire, water – you name it!” The festival does double-duty, Ratcliff explained; offering a playful family holiday celebration, while hundreds of Red Cross and other volunteers combine to teach safety and emergency preparedness, in a fun and entertaining way.
