Hannibal, MO–The George H. Riedel Foundation has awarded a $6,000 grant to Blessing Health Hannibal to support the 2026 Ride Cool event, an annual community program dedicated to promoting bicycle safety for children and families in Hannibal.
Ride Cool provides free bicycle helmets to participating children and offers hands‑on activities that teach proper helmet use and essential safety practices. The program aims to increase helmet knowledge, boost helmet‑wearing rates, and ultimately reduce bicycle‑related injuries among local youth.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 130,000 children nationwide were treated for bicycle‑associated injuries in 2020, and more than 14,000 sustained traumatic brain injuries in 2018. Most of those injuries could have been avoided with a properly fitted helmet, yet only 45% of youth consistently wear them. Research shows that community‑based programs offering free helmets are among the most effective strategies for increasing helmet use and preventing head injuries.
Dr. Susan Meidl of Blessing Health says the Riedel Foundation’s support will directly strengthen safety outcomes for Hannibal families. “This grant allows us to place high‑quality helmets directly into the hands of children who need them, while also giving families the tools to keep their kids safe,” she said. “We also ask parents to wear helmets, both to protect themselves and to model safety for their children.”
Ride Cool 2026 will take place on Saturday, May 30, 2026, at the Blessing Health Hannibal Clinic at 100 Medical Drive.