Fundraiser aimed at making sure kids recreate safely with helmets

MERIDIAN, Idaho — A fundraiser to get more helmets on the heads of Treasure Valley kids is underway, thanks to a student doctor at the Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine (ICOM).

Jordan McAllister is a second-year medical student at ICOM and is the Treasurer of the Neurosurgery Club.

She and the club want to make sure kids have the safety gear they need to enjoy Idaho’s outdoors safely.

“As part of the Neurosurgery Club, we aim to prevent traumatic brain injuries, and that’s really key. For adults, Idaho doesn’t require helmets, but for kids, it’s needed, and it is required for kids.” McAllister said.

They are working with Treasure Valley school districts to determine which students need helmets.

Relying on the generosity of the community, McAllister and her club hope to raise enough money or collect enough helmets for 100 children in need.

Local law enforcement, including the Idaho State Police, Meridian Police and Canyon County Sheriff’s Office, is helping ensure the goal is met.

Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine Doctor Gary Brandecker shares McAllister’s message of preventing injuries to the head, specifically the brain.

“I think about the brain as being so sensitive to trauma and injuries, if a child would injure an arm or have a forearm fracture, we could put that in a cast, or we can do surgery, and a bone will go on to remodel itself and repair itself to some extent, if there is a little bit of angulation,” Brandecker said. 

“But brain tissue is not like that. The brain is so sensitive to trauma, it doesn’t heal very well. You know, the brain will do some remodeling around damaged areas, but it’s never quite the same. So we have to really prevent the initial injury from occurring,” Brandecker continued. 

The helmets for kids fundraising campaign runs now through March 14th.

You can donate online at the ICOM student store. 

If you have new or gently used helmets you’d like to give away, you can drop them off at the ICOM campus, 1401 E Central Drive, Meridian, ID.