Thanks for making the 2007 Kid Expo's the best yet!

We look forward to seeing you next year!

Maddison Willigar of Harwick gets her face painted by Edna Jenkins, the advisor to Murdock High School’s Key Club in Winchendon, during the 2007 Kid Expo sponsored by the Molly Bish Institute for Child Health and Safety at Mount Wachusett Community College Saturday, June 2. Children who had Molly Bish Child I.D. Kits made were given the chance to have their face painted.

Corrine Breen of Baldwinville is helped by volunteer Bill McAuliffe of Fitchburg during a sack race at the 2007 Kid Expo sponsored by the Molly Bish Institute for Child Health and Safety at Mount Wachusett Community College Saturday, June 2.

Ashburnham Fire Chief Paul J. Zbikowski encourages children as their fill bucket with water at the Ashburnham Fire Department Bucket Brigades station, one of many fun educational activities at the 2007 Kid Expo sponsored by the Molly Bish Institute for Child Health and Safety at Mount Wachusett Community College Saturday, June 2.

John Bish takes the fingerprints of Danielle Caisse, Westminster, for her Molly Bish Child I.D. Kit during the 2007 Kid Expo sponsored by the Molly Bish Institute for Child Health and Safety at Mount Wachusett Community College Saturday, June 2.

**************************************************************************************************************

Kid Expo 2007

Fourth Annual Molly Bish Kid Expo

OVER 5,500 ATTEND FOURTH ANNUAL MOLLY BISH KID EXPO AT MOUNT WACHUSETT COMMUNITY COLLEGE

(GARDNER)—Over 5,500 people attended the Fourth Annual The Molly Bish Institute for Child Health and Safety at Mount Wachusett Community College, Saturday June 2.  “This was outstanding,” said John Bish.  “I expect next year’s event will be even better.”  Thousands of children are now safer.”  The free event featured Molly Bish Foundation child safety I.D. kits, R.A.D. KIDS self defense demonstrations, health screenings, food, music, entertainment and games.  “When children were getting their ID kits, they were telling me how delighted they are,” said Magi Bish.  “You can see how much work went into this event and parents told me that they look forward to this event every year.  They were very grateful for all the giveaways and the bike helmets,” she said. Over 550 bike helmets were donated by Heywood Hospital and fitted by the Gardner Police Department.  Representative Robert Rice of Gardner also helped with helmet distribution.  “I sensed an overwhelming sense of gratitude that this Molly Bish Kid Expo is meeting the needs of the children,” said Rice.

The Molly Bish Institute was established in memory of Molly Bish who was abducted while serving as a lifeguard 7 years ago.  This event helps spread awareness of child health and safety for parents, caregivers, and children by providing hands-on learning opportunities.  Through the Molly Bish Foundation and the generosity of John and Magi Bish, more than 350 children received an ID kit with their fingerprints and photograph.  The Molly Bish Foundation has provided close to half a million ID kits for children in the New England area. “Protecting children is what this event is all about,” said Mount Wachusett Community College President Daniel M. Asquino, “these children are our future.”

The event featured  r.a.d.KIDS self-defense demonstrations with Campus Police, car seat safety inspections, a health and safety resource fair, free bike helmets courtesy of Heywood Hospital, free raffles featuring 20 bikes, a baseball signed by Big Papi, 12 baseballs signed by Toronto Blue Jays, car seats, and many safety and sport- themed raffle baskets.  Brian Knuutila of the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office, who donated the baseball memorabilia, said, “I can’t believe the crowds.  People are staying because there is so much to stay for. It’s all about kids and safety.” 

Chrissy Lajoie of Winchendon, who attended with her six year old son, said she liked the outdoor event.  “I especially liked the new healthy food ideas for kids.  As a mom, I was very impressed.”  Jennifer Wedge of Baldwinville who brought her eight and six year old children said, ‘This was better than any of the other fairs I attended.”

The event also included visits from Smokey Bear, McGruff the Crime Dog, and Lil’ Iguana.

The event also included a Lifeflight helicopter landing, complementary health workshops for kids including Chi Kung, Guided Imagery, and Yoga; the Fitchburg Fire Department’s Smoke House, lots of safety vehicles to explore, the Worcester County Sheriff’s office search and rescue dogs, The State Police’s Convincer (seat belt safety), B.A.T. Mobile (Breath Alcohol Test Mobile Unit), drive up car seat safety inspections, food, music, entertainment, a health and safety fair, lots of fun games and activities such as a climbing wall, football tosses, potato sack racing, and lots more fun.

The Kid Expo planning committee was comprised of health and safety professionals from across the region meeting throughout the year to plan the event. Event sponsors include HealthAlliance Hospital, Heywood Hospital, Fallon Community Health Plan, the Telegram and Gazette, Hannaford Supermarkets and the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office. The event was coordinated by the Molly Bish Institute for Child Health and Safety of the college’s Center for Democracy and Humanity.  The event was organized by Andrea Dudley Hart and Center staff.

Kid Expo 2007

Saturday, June 2, 2007 at the MWCC Gardner Campus~Click here to view our Flyer!

Saturday, May 19, 2007 at HealthAlliance Hospital Leominster Campus~Click here to view our Flyer!

**************************************************************************************************************

Kid Expo 2006

Third Annual Molly Bish Kid Expo Offers Child-Safety Tools to Parents

By Kimberly B. Caisse

This year’s Molly Bish Kid Expo marked the third time the Molly Bish Institute for Child Health and Safety at Mount Wachusett Community College has brought critical elements of a child-safety plan to area parents.

Established in memory of teenager Molly Bish, who was abducted in June 2000 from Comins Pond in Warren, where she worked as a lifeguard, the Molly Bish Institute works to ensure the health and safety of all children in Massachusetts by providing hands-on, practical learning opportunities for parents, caregivers and children, and serves as a clearinghouse of child health and safety information.

Speaking from behind the tables used for making free Molly Bish Foundation child I.D. kits during the Saturday, May 20 event, Molly’s mother, Magi Bish, said, “I see Molly in every child. This partnership with Mount Wachusett Community College lets us make children in this area safer.”

But the kits are “just one element” of a plan parents need in the event their child is abducted, Magi Bish pointed out. “We know more now, we’ve learned a lot,” she said. “The Amber Alert works. We know every Amber Alert needs a picture, an everyday photo.”

For 112,000 children, that photo rests in a Molly Bish Foundation child I.D. kit. “They came looking for this for Molly on the second day” of the search, she added.

In addition to keeping children safe, Magi and her husband, John, see these kits as a way to spur dialog about child abduction between parents and children and to empower parents to be ready to respond when their child goes missing. A kit also can be used in cases of fire, natural disaster or a terrorist attack, Magi Bish explained.

Another part of the child-safety plan the Bishes promote is R.A.D. KIDS self-defense training. MWCC Campus Police provided a demonstration of R.A.D. KIDS during the free event.

Meanwhile, over 1,500 visitors browsed the health and safety resource fair, took children to be sized for free bike helmets courtesy of Heywood Hospital (while supplies lasted), entered their names to win bike and car-seat raffles, visited with Smoky Bear, obtained a wide range of child safety supplies and information, and enjoyed food, music, entertainment, games and lots more.

“Once again, we are extremely proud to bring this important event to area families,” MWCC President Daniel M. Asquino said. “We look forward to another well-attended Kid Expo in two weeks at the HealthAlliance Hospital’s Leominster campus.”

For the first time, HealthAlliance Hospital, Leominster Campus is teaming up with the college to host a similar event on Saturday, June 3 from 10 a.m. to noon, rain or shine. It also will feature the free child safety I.D. kits, a health and safety fair, demonstrations, free bike helmets and other give-aways while supplies last, and many other activities.

A Kid Expo planning committee comprised of public safety officials from Fitchburg, Gardner, Leominster and a variety of community and business groups, has worked to organize the two events. Members serving on the committee are: Amy Cassavina-Hall, Robin Duncan, Lea Ann Erickson, Sgt. Glenn Fossa, Fagan Frantz, Officer Melissa Garneau, Jennifer Hartwell, Mary Ann Kane, Chief Karen Kolimaga, Amanda Landry, Lori Martiska, Jo-Ann Meagher, Rosanne Morel, Jody Paul, Colleen Provencial, Maureen Provost, Sharyn Rice, Officer Chad Roger and Dolores Thibault-Munoz.

Sponsors for Kid Expo 2006 include: The Molly Bish Foundation, Mount Wachusett Community College, MWCC Fitness & Wellness Center, HealthAlliance Hospital, Leominster Campus, Fallon Community Health, Heywood Hospital, Doug Rice Painting and General Contracting, Gardner Wal-Mart, BJ’s Wholesale Club, O’Neil’s Bike Shop, Polar Beverages, Chartwells, Gardner Community Partnerships for Children, Gardner Public Safety Officials, Fitchburg Public Safety Officials, Leominster Public Safety Officials,  The Telegram & Gazette, Lil’ Iguana, Nik Rylee’s Restaurant and Papa Gino’s Pizza and others 

The Molly Bish Institute is committed to community education and outreach to ensure the health and safety of all children in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.