MOMS Club hosts ‘Stranger Danger’ tips and techniques teacher

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Today every child needs to know the valuable lesson of ‘Stranger Danger.’ The combined MOMS Club Pima Butte and Wells groups held their monthly social hour Thursday, featuring guest speaker Mark Bloom of America’s Best Karate. Bloom came to teach the children how to protect themselves if ever approached by a stranger.

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Mark Bloom talks to MOMS Club members and their children about the dangers of strangers.

Children were taught how to recognize a stranger as well as simple techniques on what to do when approached by a stranger. Bloom worked with them on recognizing some of the “tricks” that strangers might use to get the kids to go with them. Those lures include offering candy, having puppies for the children to play with or searching for lost dogs or cats. He taught them techniques on how to get away if a stranger grabs you and to point and yell “stranger,” if one approaches them. The kids, of various ages up to five years, all benefited from the class, and even the moms learned a thing or two.

“It was really great to see how to teach our kids about strangers and how to react to strangers,” said Kayci Amos, president of the Wells group and mother of Jerry, 1, and Catherine, 2 ½.

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Bloom working one on one with the children to teach protective techniques.

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Catherine Amos practicing the techniques with her mom, Kayci.

“The information was very informative for children who will be out and about this summer playing with all their friends. I look forward to taking the women’s self-defense course with some of the other moms. I think in this day and age everyone has to be careful,” noted Andrea Hadder, vice president of the Pima Butte group and mother of Emily, 3, Michael, 11, and Nicholas, 9.

Overall, the ‘Stranger Danger’ event was a huge success in educating the children and their parents on a subject that is especially important in a city growing as quickly as Maricopa.

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Moms and kids listen intently to tips on what to do if you are approached by a stranger.

If you would like more information on ‘Stranger Danger’ or karate and self-defense classes, contact Bloom at America’s Best Karate, (520) 709-2931, or you can visit him at the studio located behind Walgreen’s, next to Radio Shack.

For more information on the MOMS Clubs of Maricopa, contact Amos (Wells group) by email or Jennifer Egelston (Pima Butte group) by email.

(Information and photos courtesy of Courtney Younghans)