Cook Memorial helps Ollie tell his safety story
For Immediate Release
May, 1, 2010
Contact: Julie Brewer
931-372-6383
www.seatbeltvolunteer.org
Cook Memorial helps Ollie tell his safety story
A memorial to Tula Ann Cook will continue to spread the message of safety on Tennessee roadways through Ollie Otter programs in Warren and surrounding counties.
Mrs. Cook, a north Georgia native who passed away last January, was instrumental in the efforts of the Tennessee Road Builders Association and its Ladies Auxiliary to educate school children and their families about the importance of using booster seats, seatbelts and driving safely in construction work zones.
This past Monday family members, TRBA and TRBA Ladies Auxiliary officers, Tennessee Tech University representatives, and staff from Magness Memorial Community Library and the Tennessee Technology Center at McMinnville gathered to honor Mrs. Cook. The occasion was a formal presentation of an Ollie Otter costume purchased with memorial funds that TTC McMinnville and Magness Library will use for the popular programs geared to children.
Husband Cecil Cook of Rock Island and sons Ted and Troy Cook headed a delegation of family members that remembered the life and contributions of Mrs. Cook, who was a past president of the TRBA Ladies Auxiliary. Kent Starwalt, TRBA executive vice president, and Carol Coleman, of the TRBA Ladies Auxiliary, commented that the memorial will enable the message to live for years to come.
Mike Garrison, TTC McMinnville student services coordinator, has been involved with the Ollie Otter program since its inception in 2006. “Having the Ollie suit and supplies on hand will allow us much more flexibility as we reach our service area,” said Garrison. “Children not only enjoy Ollie, they are receptive to the message and, in many cases, teach their parents. We sincerely appreciate the Cook family’s desire to help us better serve the community.”
TTC McMinnville has presented the Ollie Program in Warren, Grundy, Van Buren and DeKalb county elementary schools. Mary Robbins, manager of Magness Library, already has plans for using the Ollie costume.
Julie Brewer, Ollie Otter manager for Tennessee Tech, coordinated the memorial presentation program. Other TTU representatives who participated were Kevin Liska, Business Media Center director; Dean Caruthers, photo journalist; Michele Wright, Ollie Otter coordinator; and Callie Bird, intern.
“Under 4’9”- It’s booster time!” is the familiar Ollie slogan. Ollie's image is protected by U.S. Federal Law and is administered by Tennessee Tech University, the Tennessee Road Builders Association Transportation Development Foundation, and the Governor's Highway Safety Office.
Volunteers can bring Ollie to events in their community by signing up on the mascot’s website www.seatbeltvolunteer.org.