When the Safe Kids Coalition of Orangeburg, Bamberg and Calhoun Counties received word they would be the beneficiaries of proceeds from Orangeburg Lutheran Church's yard sale, coalition director Kathy Funderburk was thrilled.

"It is exceptionally warming to realize the community recognizes the need for accident prevention measures to be taken for the younger residents in the tri-county area," she said. "It is indeed startling and overwhelming when a church with so many pulls on its finances embraces this mission, and assists the coalition to do its job."

Operating on a budget and relying on donations from area organizations, the coalition, led by the Regional Medical Center, will be able purchase child safety seats, smoke and carbon dioxide detectors and bicycle helmets with the recent $1,400 gift.

Accidental injury is the number one killer of children birth through 14 years of age. According to Safe Kids Worldwide of Washington, D.C., poverty -- and not ethnicity -- is the major contributor to those deaths, and children living in rural areas are at an increased risk.

The O-B-C Safe Kids Coalition has been in existence since 1995.

"This coalition is not a give away operation," Funderburk said. "We make every effort to reach those in greatest need, and therefore are at greatest risk for accidental injury, and then we educate, educate, educate!

"In a world where so many bad events occur and are reported, it is uplifting and encouraging that hands across the neighborhood out reach to bring about positive outcomes for so many."

Michelle Hunter, a member of Orangeburg Lutheran Church and chairperson of the service committee, said they were excited about the opportunity to help Safe Kids.

"We are ecstatic that we can support such a wonderful organization that provides so much to our children who are the future of our community," she said.

Special to The T&D

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