Memorial Hospital Supports Ski Helmet Safety for Local Children

January 17, 2020

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Peter Waugh, Volunteer Services Coordinator at Memorial Hospital and Karen Dolan, Snowsports Director at Cranmore Mountain Resort, with four skiers.
NORTH CONWAY, NH -- Memorial Hospital once again has ensured that every child in its community that wants a ski helmet, gets one. It's all part of a helmet safety initiative to ensure that local school children have appropriate helmets for their participation in elementary ski programs including the Eastern Slope Ski Club’s (ESSC) Junior Ski Program in the Conway School District and the Fryeburg Junior Ski Program.

Memorial Hospital Foundation created the Roger C. Clapp Memorial Ski Helmet Fund to help put “a lid on every kid.” Clapp, who passed away in 2013, was a hospital trustee for many years and a passionate lifelong skier. Family and friends make memorial donations to the fund and continue to encourage contributions. Additional contributors to the program include employees who give through a special employee giving program. Through donations, the foundation is able to provide new and safety approved helmets for free, or at a discounted rate, to children in the ski programs.

These helmet donations are timely, as January is National Ski Areas Association’s (NSAA) National Safety Month. NSAA states website that skiing and riding responsibly is the first priority for safety and helmets are an important second line of defense. The group reports that wearing helmets can decrease the risk of head injury by 10 to 50 percent. Helmets can also mean the difference between a major head injury and a minor head injury, or between a minor head injury, and no injury at all.

This year, over 200 helmets were distributed to students in December, prior to the start of the youth ski program season. To qualify for a free helmet, students must be enrolled in the school’s free/reduced rate meals program while others have the opportunity to purchase helmets at a significant discount.

Anyone wishing to donate to the Roger Ski Clapp Helmet Fund may find more information at www.memorialhospitalnh.org/waystogive or call 603-356-5461, x2269.