In response to an urgent community need for booster seats for children between ages four and eight, Heavy Materials, LLC. responded generously by donating 150 booster seats to the V.I. Office of Highway Safety (VIOHS) for children in the St. Thomas/St. John district.
In the territory, child passengers are required to ride in an age, weight and height-appropriate child safety restraint until age eight or up to 4’9” tall.
The VIOHS launched a booster seat drive in November following an observational survey conducted in local elementary schools, revealing approximately 78 percent of students leaving campus without booster seats. Heavy Materials, LLC. responded generously to the call for assistance.
“At Heavy Materials, the safety of our employees in the workplace is our most important priority,” shared General Manager Margaret Ashley. “When I learned about the booster seat initiative, it was a significant way to share our safety culture in the communities where we operate and help families keep their children safe.”
The generosity and genuine concern for child passenger safety did not end with the donation. A booster seat distribution event took place on June 7 at the Tutu Park Mall, providing booster seats to families in need. The event was supported by the V.I. Department of Property and Procurement, who provided storage space; Advantage Landscaping and Trucking, LLC., who loaded and transported the booster seats; and Juan Christian and his Tutu Park Mall team, who assisted with logistics and provided the distribution venue. Securing child passengers in the territory requires a community approach.
“Every adult – both motorists and onlookers – must take responsibility for ensuring child passengers ride safely,” advised VIOHS Director Daphne O’Neal. “Car and booster seats are proven to reduce injuries for children in crashes. They are small investments that save lives.” VIOHS provides education and resources required for caregivers to make safe decisions for the children in their care.
