The Giving Circle of Alexandria Sponsors Car Seat Safety Workshop

On Saturday, June 8 The Giving Circle of Alexandria sponsored a successful car seat workshop for low-income families that participate in playgroups.  These playgroups are a key means through which The Giving Circle reaches children who otherwise might not receive any preparation for kindergarten.  The Giving Circle’s mission is to invest strategically in Alexandria’s youngest children to enable them to reach their full potential. 

Volunteers from the Alexandria Sheriff’s Department, Arlington Sheriff’s Department, and Prince William County Police Department and Fire and Rescue joined together at the First Baptist Church to provide inspection services free of charge.  The Giving Circle of Alexandria provided new car seats and boosters for families that needed them.  

Also present at the workshop were Tarsha Rice, playgroup coordinator for the Compagna Center; Carri Stoltz, playgroup coordinator for the Center for Alexandria’s Children; and Melanie Lugo from the Alexandria office of the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program.  Ms. Rice and Ms. Stoltz welcomed the families from their programs, and Ms. Lugo provided information about WIC to eligible families.  

During the inspections, the sheriffs educated families about car and booster seat safety.  As an example, one family had a three-year old in an infant car seat.  Their six-year old child was in a convertible seat that was too small.  The sheriffs installed a new convertible seat for the three-year old and a new booster seat for the six-year old, while sharing with the family what made these seats safer for the children.    

Another family had a child in booster seat that had been given to them free.  The child was not tall enough for the booster, and the seat belt cut across her neck.  The seat was also expired.  The sheriffs explained to the child’s parent that she needed to be in a convertible seat and pointed out that the seat was expired.  The parent was very upset to learn this, stating that she had not known that car seats could expire “like milk.”  She had also not realized that the seat did not fit her child.    

The playgroup families were very appreciative of the car seat safety workshop, which provided the tools and knowledge to help them keep their children safe. 

More information about The Giving Circle of Alexandria and its mission can be found at www.givingfullcircle.com.