NEWSLETTER:
2019 in the Rearview Camera
The interaction of children and motor vehicles continues to be the #1 killer of children in our country. Thank you to everyone who helped support our work to eliminate these preventable tragedies in 2019. We are incredibly grateful to have the privilege of continuing this important work in 2020 thanks to YOU!
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During the past 2 years, over 100 children died in hot cars nationwide, making 2018 and 2019 the worst years in history for hot car tragedies. Despite widespread public awareness, children continue to die in hot cars at alarming rates. This problem is NOT going away without technology in addition to education. But, the good news is that
technology
to detect the presence of a child or pet inside a vehicle is readily available, affordable and should be included in all vehicles.
The Hot Cars Act
(HR 3593) calls for technology as standard equipment in all new vehicles that can detect the presence of an occupant inside the vehicle and alert the driver and bystanders.
If you feel passionately about stopping hot car deaths, please click the grey button below to contact your members of Congress and ask them to support the
Hot Cars Act
and cosponsor the bill.
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In May, a press event was held in Washington, DC to introduce the Hot Cars Act (HR 3593). The courageous KidsAndCars.org advocates along with Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety came together to talk about the need for technology to end hot car tragedies.
(view video
here
) – 5/21/19
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On May 23, KidsAndCars.org president, Janette Fennell, and parent advocate, Miles Harrison testified before The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce. The hearing explored technological solutions available to prevent hot car deaths and other vehicle-related deaths and injuries like frontovers.
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On August 27, a press event was held with Congressman Frank Pallone, JR (NJ-06) at JFK Medical Center in Edison, NJ. The Congressman along with child advocates called for technology to end hot car deaths. The event featured a demonstration of detection and alert technology that could prevent hot car tragedies.
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From September 17-19, the KidsAndCars.org team had the privilege of traveling to Washington, DC with over a dozen family members who lost a child in a hot car.
We watched and listened as KidsAndCars.org family advocates shared their painful stories…over and over again during 50 meetings on Capitol Hill with Congressional offices. They clutched photos of their beautiful children. Their pain was profound, their tears endless, but their voices were strong.
This was one of the most incredible displays of courage and strength that we have ever witnessed. We are very proud to report that since our trip to DC, 32 members of Congress have taken action to save children’s lives and prevent hot car tragedies by cosponsoring the Hot Cars Act.
There are not words to even express the admiration we have for these courageous families we work with and the incredible individuals supporting them.
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Animal Care and Protection Organizations Supporting the Hot Cars Act
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A big thank you goes out to PETA and the Animal Care Coalition for their support for the Hot Cars Act.
During meetings on Capitol Hill we were really encouraged to learn how many offices were contacted in support of the Hot Cars Act by animal advocates.
PETA's action alert in support of the Hot Cars Act has garnered over 21,100 actions to date!
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“Childproof Your Ride” Program
Launched
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Supported by a grant from State Farm Insurance, this NEW program focuses on educating and training parents and caregivers about effective ways to protect their children in and around vehicles. Despite vehicle accidents being the number one killer of children in the U.S., “Childproof Your Ride” is the first program developed solely to focus on making the environment in and around vehicles safer.
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Thank you to everyone who came out to the "Childproof Your Ride" kick-off event in Overland Park, KS. Pictured above are the speakers from the event. Left to right: Kevin Gamble (State Farm Insurance), Brett Horn (Charlie's House), Ayman Abdul-Rauf, M.D., FAAP, Children’s Mercy Kansas Emergency Department,
Amber Rollins (KidsAndCars.org), Janette Fennell (KidsAndCars.org), Jay Fleer (Mission Police Dept.), Whitney Rodden (KidsAndCars.org Parent Advocate)
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"Look Before You Lock" program
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KidsAndCars.org’s ‘Look Before You Lock’ cards are designed to educate parents and caregivers about the dangers of children being unknowingly left or getting into vehicles on their own and how to prevent hot car tragedies from happening.
Thanks to the generous support of Toyota, KidsAndCars.org has provided over one million ‘Look Before You Lock’ cards to more than 750 hospital birthing centers nationwide. We encourage you to share the cards throughout your networks to help raise awareness.
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Pets and vehicle-related incidents
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KidsAndCars.org
is now collecting data about how pets are harmed in/around vehicles. This data doesn't exist anywhere else and provides critical insight into how to protect our fur babies. The similarities between how pets and children are injured or killed in vehicle-related incidents is striking.
Have you ever had a pet injured or killed in/around a car? If so, we want to hear about it. Please fill out the brief survey at the link below to report your pet's injury or death involving a vehicle. We encourage you to share this opportunity to contribute to protecting pets by sharing the self-reporting opportunity via social media, with loved ones and with your vet's office.
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Simply visit
Smile.Amazon.com
and select “Kids And Cars, Inc” as your charity of choice once and then continue shopping at Smile.Amazon.com and Amazon will donate a percentage of all of your purchases. It doesn’t cost you a penny!
Note: Donations do not work using the Amazon APP on phones, so be sure to shop using your internet browser!
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A picture is worth a thousand words...
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The KidsAndCars.org crew raising awareness at the annual Lifesavers National Conference on Highway Safety Priorities in Louisville, KY.
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Congrats to
KidsAndCars.org
Director, Amber Rollins for receiving the People Saving People Award from the Kansas Department of Transportation for her efforts in advocating for the Good Samaritan law in Kansas to protect citizens who rescue a child, adult or animal from a hot car.
Does your state have a Good Samaritan law?
Learn more
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A quick picture after the taping of the Dr. Phil Show interview with Janette Fennell president and founder of KidsAndCars.org, Marissa Rodriguez, parent advocate and mother of Luna and Phoenix, Dr. Phil, David Diamond, Ph. D, Professor of Psychology, Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, and attorney for the Rodriguez family Joey Jackson. (left to right)
The Dr. Phil Show (11/14/2019)
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Below are just a few more snap shots of the KidsAndCars.org team in action throughout 2019....
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NEW STUDY:
MUST SEE VIDEO REPORTS ON FRONTOVERS:
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KidsAndCars.org is a nonprofit organization that depends on donations to continue our work protecting children. Please consider making a monthly donation to support our efforts to save lives. Just $10 a month can make a huge and lasting impact for years to come!
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SAVE THE DATE:
National Heatstroke Prevention Day is May 1, 2020
Resources will be available at the KidsAndCars.org Heatstroke Day page (social media posts, memes, graphics, images, fact sheets, stats, PSAs, etc.):
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THANK YOU TO THE INCREDIBLE DONORS WHO SUPPORTED OUR WORK IN 2019!!
Platinum Safety Heroes
Toyota Motor Sales USA, State Farm Insurance, Fennell Family
Gold Level Safety Heroes
Alec W Nelson Charitable Corp, Altar'd State, The Aracic Family, Attorney Information Exchange Group, Consumer Federation of America, Dana James Foundation, David Walsh, Dawn Galasso, Deanna & Jeff Burns, Delyla Blackburn, Donald and Sylvia Hampton, Gregson Family, IEE, Juan & Marissa Rodriguez, Kansas Department of Health & Environment, the Magellan Family, Michael Alvarez, Moore Foundation, Nancy Bridgers, New Jersey Manufacturers Insurance Company, Nick and Penny Rose, Rear View Safety Inc., resqme World Foundation, Schlanger Family Foundation, Susan Auriemma, Susan Pepperdine, United Way of San Antonio
Silver Level Safety Heroes
Alton Todd, Assunta Marino, Brett Horn, Catherine Rodriguez, Chris Kandziora, Cindy Cookson, Conni Lowe, David Longacre, Dawn Galasso, Deborah Hubbard, Denise Donaldson, Diane Moriconi, Elizabeth Taylor-Linzey, Erin Holley, Erin Johnson, Evergy, Gates Industrial Corp Foundation, Greater Kansas City Community Foundation, Harvey Chen, Jack Rosenfeld, Jacqueline Gillan, Jesse Hairston, Karen Lee, Karena Caputo, Kate Fraysier, Katie Delsignore, Kevin Vandemark, The Kittel family, Kristyn Ingram, the Seitz Family,, Mallory Martinez, Marica Luisi, Marisa Serpico, Marjolein Oostrom, Martha Porter, Matthew English, The Marks Family, , Morgan Bridgers, Nicole Engler, Nikki Huebner (Endure LLC), Nikki Pitcher, Olea Sensors, Pam McArthur, Pat & Don Auriemma, PayPal Giving Fund, Robyn Waldron, Rong Sheng Lee, Sales Force, Stephen Bingham, Stephen Lopardo, Tara LaMonte, Torine Brooks, Virginia Thompson, YourCause
Bronze Level Safety Heroes
Alexis Bravo, Amber Duncan, Andrea Lester, Angela Warner, Anna DeBerry, Carol MacDonald, Carolynn Regan, Cheryll Bennett, Chris Meserve, Christopher Wadsworth, Curtis Kays, Dana Woodcock, Dean Haller-Comcast match, Debbie Padilla, Denise Conti, Don Kuntze, Ellen Corman, Evelyn Dobkin, Ginet Peguero, iGive, James Riekert, Jamie Schaefer-Wilson, Jazlowiecki, JD Holmes, Jen Dragone, Jenesee Beaudoin, Jennie Bange, Jennifer Giannetta, Jonathan Self, Julia Sarr, Keri McDonald, Kerry Politzer, Krista Ching Olson, Lollie Dot Com, Loretta Raiford, Louann Yorke, Mary Kidwell, Mary Moody, Maureen Van Niel, The Mitchell Family, Nancy Clark, Nancy Hughes, Olivia Hulsman, Pam Strelecki, Paul Lillibridge, Phyllis Rose, Rebecca Britz, Rebecca Campos, Robert Stallmann, Robin Gigger, Rollins Family, Ronan Patronona, Sasha Shapiro, Stephanie Davis, Sue Scott, Tiffany Martens, Trish Hallett, United Way of Greater Philadelphia & Southern New Jersey, Virginia Cullen, Vivian Dennison, William Berde, Winfried Anderson, Ye Yuan
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