GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Two hundred children will receive a new bike helmet at no cost next week through signature events that are part of the 21st summer of the Grand Rapids Griffins’ “Put A Lid On It!” (PALOI) bike helmet safety program, presented by Helen DeVos Children's Hospital.

The Griffins’ 16th annual “Lids at the Library” bike helmet giveaways will be held in partnership with the Grand Rapids Public Library and the Kent District Library. GRPL’s Main Library (111 Library St. NE) will host the event on Wednesday, July 10 from 1-2 p.m., while KDL’s Kentwood Branch (4950 Breton Rd. SE) will be the site on Friday, July 12 from 10-11 a.m.

Volunteers from the Griffins, Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital’s Injury Prevention Program, and PALOI sponsors will be on hand to properly fit these free helmets for the first 100 kids at each event. Helmets will be distributed to kids ages 1-12 (subject to availability), and a parent or legal guardian must be present for a child to receive a helmet. Every child fitted with a new helmet will also receive a free t-shirt, and information from the Griffins and Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital will be available for pickup.

Since its founding in 2004, the Griffins’ PALOI program has worked with numerous local organizations – including police departments, pediatricians, schools, libraries, bike shops and sporting goods stores – to encourage helmet usage during wheeled sports, prevent head injuries, and reward kids who wear their helmets.

PALOI targets elementary and middle school students in a seven-county region of West Michigan. Children age 17 or younger who visit griffinshockey.com/putalidonit with parental permission and sign a pledge to always wear their helmet will be rewarded with a voucher for two free tickets to a 2024-25 Griffins game and be automatically registered for a drawing to win a new bike next spring.

The Griffins will provide their annual grant to Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital’s Injury Prevention Program, enabling that organization to purchase approximately 140 additional bike helmets for distribution through its other programs and events. 

Additional information for parents is available at griffinshockey.com/putalidonit.

The “Put A Lid On It!” program is supported by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Centennial Securities, Huntington Bank, McDonald’s, Meijer, and Safe Kids Greater Grand Rapids. 

Photo by Nicolas Carrillo/Griffins