North Central Florida Kids’ Charity Receives Grant, Distributes Free Child Car Seats

GAINESVILLE, FL (352today.com) – Safe Kids North Central Florida has received a $3,000 grant from Children’s Trust of Alachua County to expand its car seat safety program, including distributing free child car seats to eligible families during an upcoming weekend community event.

The funding will support ongoing outreach efforts focused on child passenger safety, including car seat distributions, educational materials and monthly fitting stations staffed by certified technicians.

The initiative will be highlighted during Healthy Heroes Day for Kids event, set for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 18, 2026, at the UF Health Professional Park, 3300 SW Williston Rd. in Gainesville. The free event is open to the public and will feature a dedicated car seat safety check station operating until 1:30 p.m.

Car seats will be available at no cost to qualifying families in Alachua County who participate in assistance programs such as WIC, Medicaid and SNAP. To receive a car seat, caregivers must schedule an appointment and complete a 30-minute, one-on-one educational session with a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician to ensure proper installation and use.

Organizers say the program is designed to reduce barriers to safety and prevent injuries among young passengers.

“In just three short years, our coalition has grown from four members to nearly forty,” said Jordyn Zyngier, coordinator for Safe Kids North Central Florida, in an announcement. “This grant allows us to expand our reach and continue our mission.”

Marsha Kiner, executive director of the Children’s Trust of Alachua County, said the funding supports efforts to meet families where they are by providing essential safety resources.

Healthy Heroes Day for Kids–formerly known as the UF Health Bike Rodeo–will also include a variety of family-friendly activities, such as bike raffles, free helmets, a bike safety course led by experts, games, face painting and a “Touch-a-Truck” experience focused on pedestrian safety. Families are encouraged to bring their bicycles, and certified technicians will also be available to check whether child car seats are installed correctly.

The partnership between Safe Kids North Central Florida and the Children’s Trust reflects a broader effort to improve child safety outcomes across the region through education, access and community engagement.