High Springs event hands out 60 free helmets, 101 entries for new bike raffle

May 6, 2025 10:06 pm
Helmets aren't just for bikes, a UF Health employee equips an e-scooter student with a new helmet at High Springs Community School.
Helmets aren't just for bikes, a UF Health employee equips an e-scooter student with a new helmet at High Springs Community School.
Photo by Seth Johnson

A host of organizations met High Springs Community School students after the bell rang on Tuesday to celebrate Walk, Bike and Roll to School Day, with free helmets, pizza, bags and more. 

First responders representing High Springs Fire Department and Police Department, UF Health, the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office and Florida Highway Patrol, equipped 60 students with free helmets and entered 101 names into a raffle to win a new bike. 

The High Springs Fire Department picked a raffle winner live on their Facebook page later on Tuesday. 

Become A Member

Mainstreet does not have a paywall, but pavement-pounding journalism is not free. Join your neighbors who make this vital work possible.

See Member Benefits

Prohibition Pizza offered free pizza coupons for students already wearing helmets while leaving school on bikes, e-scooters and roller blades. Harvest Thyme Café also had coupons for kids, and a member of the Gainesville Roller Rebels rode around offering stickers and kids tattoos.  

A High Springs student gets a coupon for free pizza at Prohibition Pizza for wearing his helmet when riding his bike home from school.
Photo by Seth Johnson A High Springs student gets a coupon for free pizza at Prohibition Pizza for wearing his helmet when riding his bike home from school.

Jordyn Zyngier, coordinator with Safe Kids North Central Florida and UF Shands, said kids and adults need to remember: “Use your head. Wear a helmet.” 

“Kids and adults alike need to wear properly-fitted bicycle helmets every time they ride bikes or participate in other wheeled sports,” Zyngier said in a statement. “A helmet is the single most effective way to prevent head injury resulting from a bicycle crash. So many children still do not wear them here in High Springs.” 

High Springs Police officers led the way, wearing helmets while biking around the school to direct traffic and talk with students. 

High Springs Fire Department Chief Joseph Peters said it’s paramount for the department to make sure children get helmets and information to stay safe.  

“Our department is more than just putting out fires and putting Band-Aids on people,” Peters said. “We’re about serving the community, and that’s what we love to do and that’s why we’re out here today.” 

School Resource Officer Adrian Lumpkins hands out candy to High Springs Community School students.
Photo by Seth Johnson School Resource Officer Adrian Lumpkins hands out candy to High Springs Community School students.

With Safe Kids North Central Florida and UF Health, the High Springs Fire Department has hosted other events like car seat checks and CPR training. The department also hosted a Stop The Bleed training session in January. 

Peters said the more High Springs residents who get trained in these skills, the safer the community will be. 

“[Citizen CPR] can make a huge difference between life and death, so that’s why we want to get CPR into the hands of about anybody we can,” Peters said. 

For updates on when the High Springs Fire Department hosts events, you can follow their Facebook page. 

Leaving school, a student looks ahead to where a High Springs Fire Department engine and other emergency services providers wait with candy, helmets and other goodies.
Photo by Seth Johnson Leaving school, a student looks ahead to where a High Springs Fire Department engine and other emergency services providers wait with candy, helmets and other goodies.
A Florida Highway Patrol trooper secures a helmet to a student at High Springs Community School.
Photo by Seth Johnson A Florida Highway Patrol trooper secures a helmet to a student at High Springs Community School.
A UF Health employee preps a High Springs student with a new helmet and gives a few simple instructions to property wear it.
Photo by Seth Johnson A UF Health employee preps a High Springs student with a new helmet and gives a few simple instructions to property wear it.
Officer Adrian Lumpkins greets students by name and hands out candy at the Bike, Roll, Walk to School event.
Photo by Seth Johnson Officer Adrian Lumpkins greets students by name and hands out candy at the Bike, Roll, Walk to School event.
Jordyn Zyngier, coordinator for Safe Kids North Central Florida, adjusts a helmet for a student.
Photo by Seth Johnson Jordyn Zyngier, coordinator for Safe Kids North Central Florida, adjusts a helmet for a student.
A UF Health employee equips a student with a helmet.
Photo by Seth Johnson A UF Health employee equips a student with a helmet.
Roller bladers gather for a group photo.
Photo by Seth Johnson Roller bladers gather for a group photo.

Share this post:

  • Seth Johnson

    Seth Johnson is a Mainstreet Daily News reporter based in Gainesville. He earned a degree in journalism and mass communication and served as editor-in-chief of his school newspaper. Seth is a bookworm and chess nerd, but he tempers these activities by playing sports and biking.

    View all posts
Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments