Nationwide Children's Hospital Sport Helmet Program

The Columbus Blue Jackets Foundation and Nationwide Children’s Hospital team up each year to distribute Blue Jackets branded bike helmets to area youth visiting the hospital as a result of head traumas, through the Neighborhood Pride Program, the Columbus Division of Police Community Liaison Officers have at their community programs, and the Columbus Division of Fire at 12 of their stations (listed below). Head traumas are among the leading causes of hospital stays for children and the Foundation is proud to have donated over 18,000 helmets to the Central Ohio area – helping to make wearing a helmet the “coolest” thing to do.

"The Columbus Blue Jacket foundation has supported a program that has saved lives! Medical experts know that if you have a bike crash, wearing a helmet protects the head from serious, potentially life threatening injury. The foundation has supported a bike helmet program that enables at risk children to select and be fitted with the helmet of their choice. It is now common to see a child wearing a helmet provided by this support - last year, almost 2000 children were fitted and their lives are safer because of the Columbus Blue Jacket Foundation!"
Kathy Haley, RN, BSN
Nationwide Children's Hospital

Teaming up with the City of Columbus...

Bicycle crashes are a common reason Columbus children are treated at a hospital for injury. Bicycle helmets can lower the risk of brain injury by up to 88 percent. However, too few Columbus youth wear a helmet every time they ride. In July 2008, Columbus City Council passed a law requiring the use of helmets by all children younger than 18.

Spread the word! View promotional poster.

Need A Helmet?
The Columbus Blue Jackets Foundation, in partnership with the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, the Columbus Division of Fire and the Columbus Division of Police, is offering a limited number of free bicycle helmets to Columbus children this summer.

COLUMBUS CHILDREN AGES 1-17 CAN RECEIVE A FREE BICYCLE HELMET AT SELECT COLUMBUS FIRE STATIONS BEGINNING JULY 13TH.
One helmet per child. Child must be present to be fitted for the helmet. While supplies last.
Distribution Times: 1 – 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday

LOCATIONS:
Fire Station Address

#6 5750 Maple Canyon Drive
#7 1425 Indianola Avenue
#8 1240 E. Long Street
#10 1096 W. Broad Street
#12 3200 Sullivant Avenue
#14 1716 Parsons Avenue
#15 1800 E. Livingston Avenue
#17 2300 W. Broad Street
#18 1630 Cleveland Avenue
#19 3601 N. High Street
#21 3294 E. Main Street
#23 4451 E. Livingston Avenue

Teaming up with the Chiller Ice Rinks...

As an important extension of this sport helmet program, the Foundation dedicates helmets to each of the Chiller Ice Rinks and encourages skaters to utilize one of these branded helmets during all public skate and class sessions.