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43 °F 5 Day Forecast Saturday, December 13, 2003 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | eSouthernOregon | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Email Story to a Friend December 9, 2003 Eight-year-old could use a bicycle helmet EDITOR’S NOTE: "Light One Candle" is the Mail Tribune’s annual holiday giving drive aimed at offering a single needed item to an individual, family or agency. By JONEL ALECCIA Mail Tribune Don’t think for a minute that he minds riding a hand-me-down bicycle. The Jackson Elementary School third-grader is perfectly happy with his cousin’s second-hand wheels, particularly since a new bike is completely beyond the range of his family’s budget. But the 8-year-old relies on the bike to get to and from school and he needs a helmet to keep him safe, said Karen Holt, administrative director of the Kids Health Connection. Advertisement "He’s like many kids here," she said. "IF they are fortunate enough to have a bicycle, the family does not have enough money to afford a luxury such as a bike helmet." His family is among 80 percent of those who live at or below poverty levels. He’s lucky not to be among the one-third who are homeless, Holt says. A donation of a bike helmet would keep the boy safe. Any extras would go to children enrolled in the school-based centers at Jackson, Washington and Oak Grove elementary schools. In addition, Holt says donations of boxes of character-themed bandages are always needed to patch knees scraped from bicycle falls. To help, call Holt at 842-3120. Reach reporter JoNel Alecciaat 776-4465, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback 3 WEEKS FREE! ADVERTISERS SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times