Ollie Otter Safety Campaign Earns National Award

For Immediate Release
October 10, 2007
Contact: Julie Brewer
931-372-3318
www.seatbeltvolunteer.org

OLLIE OTTER SAFETY CAMPAIGN EARNS NATIONAL AWARD

Safety mascot Ollie the Otter recently took a quick break from raising seatbelt and booster seat awareness to collect national kudos.

The Ollie Otter Booster Seat and Seatbelt Safety Campaign, sponsored by the Tennessee Transportation Development Foundation (TTDF), took first place in the private outreach category of the 2007 Roadway Workzone Safety Awareness Awards.

The award, administered by the American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA), was issued Oct. 15 during a ceremony in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

Carol Coleman, member of the TRBA Ladies Auxiliary, spearheaded the development and implementation of the Ollie Otter campaign. “When we went to Florida to accept the award, it was very humbling. I feel that we are going to make a difference in children’s lives in Tennessee, not only now, but hopefully they’ll remember Ollie when they start to drive.”

The campaign hinges around Ollie Otter, a 7-foot-tall mascot who visits schools to champion seatbelt and booster seat safety. After talking to students, Ollie leaves behind materials such as bookmarks and Ollie Otter measuring boards, which show students whether they need a booster seat or they’re tall enough for a seatbelt.

Tennessee Tech and the Tennessee Technology Centers have been instrumental in the project, Coleman said. “Without the BusinessMedia Center and volunteers from the Tennessee Technology Centers, this never would have happened,” she said. “I had the vision, but they had the resources to make it a reality.”

The program includes an interactive Web site developed and maintained by the Tennessee Tech Business Media Center. “We have the infrastructure to take this program statewide, and that’s our goal,” BusinessMedia Center Director Kevin Liska said.

The award is evidence that the thriving campaign is built to last, Coleman said. “When we go to private businesses and corporations, they’ll see that this program will last,” Coleman said.

To sign up as a volunteer, schedule a visit from Ollie, or learn more about Tennessee’s booster seat and seatbelt safety campaign, visit www.seatbeltvolunteer.org.