During the first intermission of tonight’s game against Iowa, the Brain Injury Association of Michigan presented the Griffins with its 2007 Prevention Award, in recognition of the team’s “Put A Lid On It” (PALOI) helmet safety program. The program, presented by Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, was founded by the Griffins in 2004 to promote helmet safety to elementary and middle school children throughout West Michigan, with a goal of reducing the occurrence and severity of head injuries sustained during wheeled sports and other outdoor activities.
Through this program, the Griffins work with local schools, libraries, police departments, pediatricians and other organizations on a three-tiered campaign focused on injury prevention, education and reinforcement.
Each year, the Brain Injury Association of Michigan honors organizations, programs, professionals and persons through the presentation of awards for outstanding contributions to the association and in the field of brain injury services. The Prevention Award recognizes the individual or organization that made the greatest single impact on promoting brain injury prevention programs or activities during the year.
Two representatives from the Brain Injury Association of Michigan, Chairman of the Board Kevin Arnold and Vice Chairman of the Board Jim Tuinstra, presented the award to Randy Cleves, the Griffins’ senior director of public relations.
