Why should I donate to this foundation rather than other charities?
We understand that there are many requests for your charitable giving, for many worthwhile causes. We believe the cause of keeping all children safe is one of the most important reasons to give. We are the only program available providing toddler-size 5 point harness car seats to needy families. All children should be in a 5 point harness for as long as possible, or risk a fatality like Kyle's. Unfortunately, 5 point harnesses for older children, with a higher weight capacity to 80lbs, are expensive and often outweigh the financial means of many families. We believe that keeping our children safe should not be a privilege.
Are 5-point harness car seats really necessary once my child is over 40lbs?
Yes! Ordinary booster seats require that their 5 point harness be removed at 40lbs and restraining your child using the seat belt. This leaves your child at the mercy of the seat belt not failing. But as Kyle's death has taught us, we know that seat belts do fail, more often than is reported. If your 5-point harness car seat is secured using a seat belt and this fails during an accident, and your child happens to be ejected from the car, the child is cocooned within the car seat and secured with the harness, which will potentially result in fewer injuries. Furthermore, children who are secured in an ordinary booster with a seat belt for restraint often unbuckle the seat belt, put it behind their shoulders, or sit awkwardly in the seat - not in a position that was crash-tested. The only way to make sure you child is properly secured 100% of the time, is to have them in a 5 point harness.
Can't a family in need use a friend's used seat?
No, not unless the family knows the entire history of that seat. Government and safety agencies urge that seats be discarded after any car accident, because hairline cracks in the plastic can render the seat unsafe for withstanding any future crash. But many families continue using these seats, and can pass them on unknowingly to other families. Generally, only a new seat is sure to be safe - please see NHSTA guidelines on determining a seat's safety following a minor crash. (Furthermore, even if you know the history of a seat, it is unlikely to be a Britax Regent or SunShine Kids Radian80, which are the only models harnessing to 80lbs for older children.)
Are there other programs giving away seats?
There are many wonderful programs available for families in need of seats - WIC and your local CPS Stations are examples. However, the majority of these programs give away only infant seats, toddler (up to 40lbs) and ordinary boosters. We are the only program available providing 5-point harness seats with the maximum weight capacity to needy families
