Paint-A-Helmet party Saturday

Billed as “a big party for kids,” the seventh-annual Kiwanis Paint-A-Helmet on Saturday hopes to give away 1,000 bike helmets to area children 2 to 16 years old.

The event will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Spokane County Fair and Expo Center in Building C. More than 20 participating organizations will bring the party atmosphere alive with free giveaways as well as education.

“The line starts building around 8 a.m.,” said organizer Crestina Ritz. “It’s a crazy time, but it’s so much fun. This project is open to everybody, not just a select few. That’s what I like about it.”

“Our goal is to give away the entire 1,000 helmets this year,” said Janet Hunter, committee member. “We want to put helmets on these kids to make them safe.”

All 15 local Kiwanis clubs provide volunteers to help during the day. Of the 200 volunteers, the Kiwanis trains more than a dozen to fit each child properly with a helmet. Each fitting takes an average of of five to eight minutes.

“Last year, we fitted 280 helmets in the first hour,” said Ritz. “That’s a lot of children coming through.”

The child must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to receive a helmet. After being fitted properly, children are encouraged to personalize their new red helmets using permanent markers.

“We believe if they paint them, they’ll wear them,” said Ritz. “Some do real elaborate work, while others keep it simple.”

The event is free to the public. Ritz estimates it will take about $8,500 to put on the event this year, funded 100 percent by Kiwanis.

“Kiwanis is here to serve children,” said Ritz. “We ask for nothing in return.”

The bike helmet giveaway began more than 14 years ago when East Spokane Kiwanis Club member Lee Wynne wanted to do something for children. A retired police officer and avid bicyclist, he persuaded the six-member club to give helmets away at Franklin Park Mall.

“We had no money,” said Ritz. “He believed in this project so passionately. He refused to let the project die.”

Wynne got the idea of painting the helmets while he was waiting at a red traffic light. A motorcyclist came along who was wearing a white-painted helmet.

“When I saw him,” said Wynne, “I thought what a prize it would be for kids to paint their own helmets.”

Ritz took Wynne’s idea to the next level in 2000 and started the larger event at the Spokane County Fair and Expo Center.

“It’s gotten bigger and better every year,” said Ritz.