Below is a series of photographs taken from the Cleveland Central Weed & Seed Health & Safety Fair held October 11, 2005 at Giddings School on East 71st Street. The fair was sponsored by Burten, Bell, Carr Development, Cleveland Central Weed & Seed, Giddings Elementary School, and the Partnership for a Greater Cleveland.
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The Health & Safety Fair was held at Giddings Elementary School at 2250 East 71st Street (between Cedar & Central Avenues). The interior of the building features a large atrium covered by a glass roof to let in natural light.
Commander Leroy Morrow of the Cleveland Police Department Fifth District shakes hands with some of the youth of the community.
The students of Giddings anxiously await the opportunity to check out the vehicles of local safety forces, including a fire truck, ambulance, and the SWAT mobile unit.
Kids were able to speak with paramedics about what they do on a daily basis. Some even asked how they can work for the EMS when they grow up.
Everyone had the chance to see the inside of an ambulance up close and check out the very same equipment that the paramedics use to save lives.
The Cuyahoga County Sheriff's Office arrived at the event in style in this armored vehicle!
Students of all ages were able to try on the very same gear that SWAT officers use in crisis situations.
The Sheriff's Office brought the K-9 unit to interact with kids. This four-legged officer proved to be the one of the Giddings students' favorite exhibits.
The officers from the Sheriff's office illustrated how well trained their canine companion is. The county safety officials placed the dog's favorite toy in front of him, and he waited patiently until given the command to play with the toy!
The Cleveland Fire Department also bought its dog! Kids were able to pet the CFD's furry colleague and learn about his role in fire and rescue missions.
Firefighters lectured about the services they provide to the community, and demonstrated some of the equipment they use to put out fires and save lives.
They also refreshed kids' memories about the importance of changing batteries in smoke detectors and using the "stop, drop, and roll" technique if caught in a fire.
Kids listened attentively to Cleveland firefighters. The exhibit really attracted quite a crowd! In the background is the Cleveland Police Department's Mobile Command Unit vehicle.
Students were full of good questions.
Young people were eager to find out about the DARE program (Drug Abuse Resistence Program). It ultimately gives them the skills and knowledge to avoid drugs, crime, and gangs.
Here is a frontal view of DARE's monster truck.
McGruff the Crime Dog made an appearance at the Cleveland Central Weed & Seed Health & Safety Fair to meet kids and teach them about safety.
Kids welcomed the national celebrity McGruff into their classrooms, as he gave them many useful tips to "take a bite out of crime" in their community.
Eddie the Eagle instructs school-age children about what they should do if they find a gun in their neighborhood.
Orlando Grant and Eddie the Eagle pose for a photo during the fair!
Eddie loves being in pictures, so he asked to have one taken with residents from the community!
Students also learned about healthy snacks, and were even given a few ideas about what they can make by themselves for an after-school treat. Here, they learned how to make a tasty peanut butter and celery snack.
Community residents had their blood pressure and blood sugar screened. They were given helpful materials from area governmental and nonprofit organizations to improve the quality of life in their homes and neighborhood.
The entire Giddings student body gathered to hear some prominent persons speak about health and safety.
Principal Octavia Reid of Giddings Elementary School opened the assembly portion of the Health & Safety Fair.
Orlando Grant served as the host of the assembly.
Craig Tame, Chief Health and Public Safety Officer of the City of Cleveland, spoke on behalf of Mayor Jane Campbell.
Next, Blaine Griffin addressed the audience of Giddings students and community residents on Ward 5 Councilman and Council President Frank Jackson's behalf.
Officer Jeff used magic to teach students lessons about valuing diversity, the importance of working hard and hanging with the right crowd, and how police officers are around to help people, not hurt them.
Both teachers and students thoroughly enjoyed Officer Jeff's presentation!
Superintendent Jim Ballotta of the Cleveland Municipal School District said that learning about safety and health is ongoing, and looks forward to working with Cleveland Central Weed & Seed in the near future to improve the surrounding community.
Fox 8 opened its noon news broadcast from the Health & Safety Fair. WKYC Channel 3 was also at the event taking footage of kids viewing the many safety vehicles.
WENZ 107.9FM brought its Hummer, and publicized the event on the radio and website.
Members of the steering committee helped organize the event.
Pastor Milton Bradford, co-chair of the Cleveland Central Weed & Seed Steering Committee, and Joanne Harrison from the US Attorney's Office pose with Orlando Grant.
Timothy Tramble, Executive Director of Burten, Bell, Carr Development, Inc., talks with residents about the Weed & Seed program.
Orlando Grant and Timothy Tramble discuss with Commander Morrow efforts to improve safety within the Cleveland Central Weed & Seed neighborhood.
For a full summary of the event, please click here.
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