By Heather Benjamin

Special to The Business Times

Kara Griffith is an exercise physiologist, the Family Health West wellness supervisor, a mom, wife, and someone who knows the importance of wearing a helmet when riding bikes.

Witnessing a young girl, elementary school age, at a Fruita community bike park last summer without a bike helmet had Griffith recalling some days in her past when she worked at a rehabilitation facility with people who had brain injuries.

“I worked with people who sustained head injuries from something like a short ride down the block to higher-risk activities like mountain biking or rock climbing,” she said. “Their lives were forever changed, and seeing that firsthand had a big impact on me.”

That single interaction for Griffith sparked an idea that caught fire. For the second year in a row, Family Health West partnered with the City of Fruita to offer and provide free bike helmets to local children.

ImageNet Consulting and ProSpace Interiors recently found the same passion around this idea and have contributed financially to the joint project to make 2025 more successful.

Dave Huerkamp, president of ProSpace Interiors, said the culture of ProSpace makes them big believers in giving back to the community. Jared Meier, group solutions manager for ImageNet Consulting, echoed much of the same.

“This was a great opportunity to double our impact with the matching donation from ImageNet here in Grand Junction,” Huerkamp said. “Plus, Family Health West is an awesome asset to the Fruita community, so we are happy to support them in their efforts to further youth safety.”

“This was an easy project to back for us,” Meier said. “ImageNet Consulting staff are honored to support programs that provide both active and fun opportunities for youth in the Grand Valley. Adding the safety element stood out as an even better opportunity for us.”

Meier added ImageNet Consulting believes in the mission of Family Health West, and as a business of similar community-mindedness, it is always looking for ways to positively impact friends and neighbors.

The initial partnership with the City of Fruita was a natural fit, said Marc Mancuso, Fruita Parks and Recreation director. Griffith’s heart for the idea was something they could expand on.

“Our Youth Scholarship Golf Tournament has traditionally funded program and activity scholarships, but we saw this as another meaningful way to support the youth in our community,” Mancuso said. “Since then, we’ve received generous support from the Western Colorado Community Foundation and, most recently, the FHW Foundation. This program is ongoing, and we anticipate a continued need for helmets as kids grow, experience falls or as more families learn about the opportunity.”

The City of Fruita distributes the helmets through its community center, expanding the options and availability considerably after partnering with Family Health West and now adding in donated dollars from local businesses.

Mancuso added Fruita intentionally purchases helmets that are free from prominent logos or designs, so children can wear them without feeling labeled.

“Our goal is for every kid to feel confident, safe and included,” he said. “We’ll continue to provide a variety of current, high-quality helmets in new colors and styles to meet safety standards and personal preferences.”

Some final tips for anyone wearing a bike helmet:

• Helmets should be replaced about every three to five years, despite appearance, even if they look brand new. Materials can break down and be less effective, especially in a crash situation.
• Helmets should be replaced after a significant crash, even if damage is not obvious.
• Helmets should fit and be worn properly for best outcomes. To view a helmet-fitting guide, go to www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/8019_fitting-a-helmet.pdf.
• Adults, please wear your helmet for every ride, too. Even when riding “just down the block,” you are setting an example for our youth, and you need to be safe as well. 

Donations are still being accepted for bike helmets. If you are inspired to give, a tax-deductible donation can be made to the Family Health West Foundation by visiting fhw.org/foundation.

Heather Benjamin is communication manager for Family Health West.