Page 11 - AAA Every Day – AAA Hudson Valley – May/June 2021

“AAA School Safety Patrol plays an important role in helping young pedestrians learn and fulfill responsibilities regarding traffic safety,” said AAA Traffic Safety Advocacy and Community Impact Manager Rhonda Shah. “Millions of American children have honorably served their classmates since the program began in
the early 1920s and interest in the program has spread around the world.”
The AAA model has been adopted in at least 30 other countries, including England, France, Germany, the Netherlands and New Zealand. The program has been praised by national and international safety and education groups for reducing deaths and injuries among 5-to-14- year-olds, the age group most at risk for pedestrian injury.
AAA provides an array of equipment and educational material to Patrollers, including the reflective ‘Lectric Lime fluorescent belts, patrol badges and training resources. The program also teaches lifelong lessons of good citizenship, leadership and responsibility, as
is evident by the many Patrollers who have and still serve as educators, executives, physicians and other community leaders throughout the nation.
“AAA clubs across the country commend not only our Patrollers, but also school personnel who administer the program and law enforcement officials who contribute to Patrollers’ success in local communities,” Shah said. “Hundreds of Patrollers have received recognition for their unwavering commitment to the program and going
above and beyond to keep fellow schoolmates safe.” The AAA School Safety Patrol Lifesaving Award is the
highest award given to Patrol members. Since 1949, more than 430 lifesaving medals have been presented to Patrollers who, while on duty, have saved the life of another person in imminent danger.
As the program celebrates its 100th birthday this year, AAA and the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety also will continue their sponsorship with the Charles M. Hayes Advancement Fund, which provides resources
to approximately 10 schools per year in helping them advance existing Patrol programs or develop new
ones. “AAA values our longstanding sponsorship
of the program,” Shah said. “In addition to keeping children safe, it helps to build meaningful relationships in communities across the country. As an association that values community investment, the program embodies what AAA stands for.”
AAA Hudson Valley supports districts that participate in the School Safety Patrol with tools to build and maintain a successful program such as sashes, badges and start-up information. Some local districts that have participated
in recent years are Catskill, Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk, Albany, Cairo-Durham, Hudson and Coxsackie-Athens.
Did you proudly serve on AAA’s School Safety Patrol? AAA members are encouraged to submit their photos to: TrafficSafety@aaahv.com
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