Kids Day crowd underscores success of health, safety messages

With attendance estimated at about 1,800 over a five-hour period, Saturday’s Kids Day Maricopa had the most successful response in its three-year event history.

Organized by Dr. John Donohue, D.C., it celebrated not only the 115th birthday of chiropractic but also “chiropractors and kids working together for a healthier future.”

The event featured 100 volunteers and 13 volunteer families, organized by Eagle Scout candidate Cade Koozer. Twenty different groups and individuals provided health, safety and environmental information, and Mayor Anthony Smith was a guest speaker.

Ace Hardware was the primary financial sponsor with donations from Arena Sports Grill, Baskin-Robbins, Brooklyn Boys Italian Restaurant, the Card Corner, Orbitel Communications, Penascos Mexican Restaurant and Raceway Bar and Grill.

“We had so many more businesses involved than ever before,” said Donohue.

Sgt. Pepper and GooBurr, Smokey the Bear and McGruff the crime dog were all on hand to entertain kids and parents alike with messages about stranger danger and fire safety. MPD Sgt. Hal Koozer kept busy fingerprinting scores of children who were then photographed by Amy Jamieson Photography.

In addition, there were performances by Desert Sun Performing Arts, Desert Star Gymnastics, PALS (peers as leaders), ATA Kids Karate and magic performed by Robert Stephens.

Giveaways and prizes plus free food were a part of the celebration inside. Outside, children and their parents could have car seat safety checks or view and sit in police cars, fire trucks and the new, interactive Maricopa Fire Department fire safety house.

“This is what happens when you bring the community together,” Donohue said. “If it helps one kid, you’ve done the job, but I believe it’s helping more than one.”

Photo by Joyce Hollis (Smokey the Bear photo submitted)