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Sulphur Springs, TX: The Hopkins County Health Care Foundation is seeking underwriters for one of its funding goals for the year. The funding priority is an educational program that the Hopkins County Hospital District’s EMS will make available to area teens to educate them on the risks of impaired driving.
The program, designed by paramedic Kelly Stonaker, includes various components aimed at different forms of pedagogy, such as experiential, audio, and visual. For example, a student wearing drowsy goggles and operating a pedal kart will experience drowsy driving. Also included in the program is a video presentation, discussion, and self-test.
This program will cost an estimated $37,000 to acquire the necessary equipment. Although the start-up costs are high, all of the items to be purchased have a long lifespan.
Two donors have already contributed to the program, leaving $34,000 still needed. Residents Candy, Jimmy Jones, and Galyean Insurance were eager to assist with this endeavor. It is an excellent opportunity for businesses and individuals to support the health and well-being of Hopkins County teens.
Stonaker has designed and taught a similar program and was pleased with the outcomes. “The students were comfortable in the learning environment and asked great questions. However, once they put on the drunk or drowsy goggles and tried to drive the pedal kart, they understood how a slight impairment could affect their driving abilities,” said Stonaker.
Stonaker continued, “The goal of this program is to keep our young people safe and to prevent accidents caused by impairment. Hopefully, by being able to experience various levels of impairment safely, they will realize the possible consequences of their actions.”
If you are interested in learning more about supporting this program, please get in touch with the Hopkins County Health Care Foundation, an IRS 501 (c) 3 not-for-profit organization, at 903-438-4799.