For Immediate Release
September 1, 2009
Contact: Julie Brewer
931-372-6383
www.seatbeltvolunteer.org

TTU Interns Help Ollie Implement Record-Breaking Month - One Hundred Events!

Tennessee Technological University's Business Media Center was buzzing last May with interns helping to set in motion one of Ollie the Otter's greatest achievements - one hundred school events in one month. The school events included doing elementary school presentations, Pre-K presentations, attending county health fairs, and making appearances at safety events across the state. Dave Brooks, Bradley Locke, Amber Hayes, Amanda Brown, Melissa Roberson, Jeffrey Graham, and Jonathan Aiken all teamed up and traveled to different parts of the state to bring Ollie to thousands of kids throughout Tennessee. All of the interns partnered up with Tennessee Highway Patrol, local police officers, and East Tennessee State University's Child Passenger Safety Center.

"This program is a great way to teach young students about the importance of seatbelt and booster seat safety. I loved going around to all of the schools and teaching the students a valuable lesson that could one day save their lives. This program could not be going without the hundreds of volunteers across the state. I would like to say thank you to all of the troopers, officers, and other volunteers who helped make the month of May so successful! "
-Melissa Roberson, Alex Cassidy Scholarship Award Recipient

My experience working with the Ollie the Otter program was very insightful. I have learned that very few kids that meet the certain requirements do not sit in a booster seat and in fact some do not even wear a seat belt. This revelation touched my heart and I will forever be dedicated to this cause in one way or another. A highlight ofthe experience was meeting the different police officers and other faculty that helped me during my journey. I enjoyed interacting with the students and making them smile. Working with the Ollie the Otter program is such a blessing. I encourage others to get involved.
-Amber Hayes

"I didn't realize how much of an impact I would make working with Ollie the Otter. After doing a school presentation in May, I heard a seven-year-old girl telling her mother about what she learned during our presentation. Just having one child go home and tell their parents, makes it all worth it. We just want to keep kids safe, and it is so rewarding."
-Amanda Brown

It seems as if everyone who has had some involvement with Ollie always makes a comment about how fast the program has grown. By the end ofthe second year, Ollie's message had already reached all 95 counties in Tennessee and was quickly looking to spread beyond state lines. I feel privileged to have had the chance to work with Ollie and the team to help spread an important message to children across the state to keep them safe and ultimately save lives.
-Jeff Graham

My experience with the Ollie the Otter program has been very enjoyable. Working with Ollie has been fun and rewarding. I enjoyed interacting with the children and having fun, while also being able to educate them about booster seat safety and the state law. I also enjoyed seeing how much the kids responded to Ollie, it really made me feel like I was helping make a difference.
-Jonathan Aiken

"Vehicle crashes remain the number one killer of children ages 2-14 in the United States," says Safe Kids USA. Ollie the Otter teaches children about booster seat and seatbelt safety. Volunteers from Tennessee Technological University and the local community make it all possible. To learn more about volunteering with Ollie the Otter and contributing to help save children's lives, visit seatbeltvolunteer.org.