Safety Town is a national program started in 1937 in Mansfield, Ohio, in response to a child being struck and killed by a car on his way to school. The “National Safety Town Center” was founded in 1964 by Dorothy Chlad in Cleveland, Ohio. Safety Town uses a set up of streets, buildings, crosswalks, and traffic signs where children ages 4-1/2 to 6 years old practice obeying traffic safety by being “drivers” on tricycles with seat belts, and pedestrians crossing the street safely in crosswalks and learning about traffic signals. Children learn about water safety, fire prevention and safety, poisons, and drugs. It is a rite of passage before kindergarten for thousands of children across the United States and here in North Royalton. Safety Town has saved many young lives simply because the lessons that are taught help children be aware of and avoid danger.
It takes money to build a town and take care of it. In this case, Safety Town is all kid-sized buildings just right for kindergarten sized kids. That is why North Royalton, the North Royalton Police and Fire Departments are very happy to receive $13,000 from the North Royalton Browns Backers Club (NRBB) for the building of a new Safety Town here. The NRBB reports that it “has donated almost $20,000 to our community and 100% of it stays right here in North Royalton.” The NRBB, part of Browns Backers Worldwide, meets at Niko’s Bar and Gyros to cheer every Browns game. Niko Moulagianis, owner of Niko’s Bar and Gyros, has been in the restaurant business since he was 13, “from busboy to bartender,” loves simple, good food, craft beer, and sports. It’s only natural that the NRBB and Niko’s would find each other. Even Niko’s home tab on the website: Nikosbarandgyros.com, urges patrons to “watch the game here,” good food, craft beer, and great company is exactly why NRBB feels so very much at home. Since charity begins at home, the NRBB earns and donates money to many North Royalton causes. This past football season the Brownies were a bit disappointing, but the NRBB exploded with enthusiasm; increased membership, and surpassed their own goals for community support. The NRBB awards scholarships for NR High School students; not only for the college bound but for trade schools and certificate programs. The track and field program is getting $1,200 for new starting blocks, the place where track runners place their feet to begin a race. They will be ready for the 2022 track and field season.
The NRBB traditionally supports the Animal Protective League (APL) with “Dawgs helping Dogs,” but this year included cats by donating $500 to Stay-A-While Cat Shelter. In addition, they contributed $1000 to support to Officer Bear, NRPD’s K-9 officer. Officer Bear will continue to be the Dog getting Dawgs’ support. Officer Bear is a first responder.
When North Royalton Fire Chief Chegan approached NRBB for a little money to help build a Safety Town Village, NRBB answered the call. NRBB never does anything ‘little,’ so they put together a season-long raffle with three fantastic prizes: a fully loaded Yeti cooler, an autographed Jim Brown helmet with case, and an autographed Nick Chubb football with case. Most of the memorabilia, gift cards, lottery tickets and other items in the cooler were donated by club members.” That is why, $13,000 later, the Fire Department, the Police Department, and the City of North Royalton are moving forward with plans for the new, North Royalton Safety Town Village to teach the benefits of safety awareness to little kids year after year.
Go Browns Backers! Niko’s Bar and Gyros is located at 12766 Royalton Road, North Royalton (440.237.6456).
By LINDA KWARCIANY
Contributing Writer
