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HANOVER TWP. — Autumn Kneller, all of 18 months old and as shy as a fox’s baby kit, sat silently in the fire truck while mom Ashley read from the free coloring book found in their goodie bag.
“Every household needs to draw up and practice an emergency exit plan,” Ashley said as her daughter reached for the little box of crayons. Then Ashley looked to Autumn and conceded. “We didn’t do that.”
Well, that would be the point of attending the second annual Child Safety Fair on Sunday, sponsored by the township’s Neighborhood Crime Watch Association and held at Breslau Hose Co. Station 5.
Police offered free fingerprinting, firefighters offered a close up view of three trucks, including the ladder truck with apparatus extended (“Dat!” Autumn exclaimed as she pointed to the neighboring rig), and the association had amassed an impressive array of donated food, prizes and child-appropriate activities.
“Medic 9 is here, there’s a school bus they can go on, the Girl Scouts are showing some first aid,” Crime Watch President Darlene Davis said with obvious pride. “We get donations from almost every business in Hanover Township.”
That included two bicycles, a Blue Ray disc system, a night at Mohegan Sun, and a trip to New York City courtesy of Martz Trailways, all up for grabs with the purchase of the right ticket number.
Which might be one reason Bob Moyles kept hanging around.
“I’ve got $30 invested in the raffles, so I’m here until at least 3 o’clock,” Moyles smiled — though not quite as broadly as his daughter Dilia did when balloon artist Pat Ward made her a “silly hat.” Dilia danced off so fast the wind blew her hat off, and by the time she spun to pick it up one of the balloons popped. Ward courteously replaced it.
“On our Facebook page we’re always giving the adults a heads up about what’s going on,” Davis said. “But our group wanted to do something for the kids.” So last year the Child Safety Fair sprung up at the municipal building.
“This year we needed a bigger place, so we came here” Davis said, surveying the activities. “We just want what’s best for the kids. They’re like a sponge. We want to put that seed of information in their minds, so they’ll grow up to know what to do.”
Ashley had high kudos for the concept, citing the value of introducing her toddler to the notion of a school bus, a police officer’s uniform, and a fire truck. “This is great for her.”
Hanover Township Police Chief Albert Walker praised the work of Crime Watch as well. ”They really help us reach out to the community,” he said. And with projects like this fair and a recent success at getting Home Depot to fix up a decaying playground, this Crime Watch is also building community spirit, he added.
Back at Pat Ward’s balloon emporium, Ward whipped up a dog for Jeffrey Peck, who took it gladly but then asked “Do you do swords?”
Voila, a sword, but this one went to Jeffrey’s friend. No matter. Turns out a balloon shaped like a long dachshund hound makes a pretty good sword, too, or at least a dagger long enough to parry.
And when you fence with balloons, surely that’s another little lesson in safety.
