Press Release
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR BOLLING AND HOUSE OF RESTORATION PARTNER WITH PROJECT CHILDSAFE
- Bolling joins House of Restoration Community Development Programs and local law enforcement to distribute free gun locks to Petersburg community -
Tuesday, January 22, 2008Richmond - Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling today announced a partnership with the House of Restoration Community Development Programs to distribute free gun locks to the Petersburg and Tri-Cities communities as a part of Project ChildSafe, a nationwide firearms safety education program.
The Lieutenant Governor was joined by Dr. Marietta Brown, founder of the House of Restoration Church, Vanessa Crawford, Petersburg Sheriff, John Dixon, III, Petersburg Police Chief, C.T. Hairston, Petersburg Fire Chief, Cassandra Stroud-Burns, Petersburg Commonwealth's Attorney and former Richmond Sheriff Michelle Mitchell.
"I'm honored to join with the House of Restoration to further expand Project ChildSafe in the Tri-Cities community," Lieutenant Governor Bolling said. "Everyone who owns a firearm has a responsibility to store their guns safely, so they do not pose a threat to their children or their children's playmates. Project ChildSafe's gun lock safety kits provide the means to ensure that firearms are properly stored, helping make our homes safer."
"I commend the House of Restoration Community Develop Programs for taking the initiative to participate in this important program. I hope more community organizations follow their lead," Lieutenant Governor Bolling added.
"We thank Lieutenant Governor Bolling for his work with Project ChildSafe and coming to Petersburg," said Dr. Brown. "As we work with children daily at several locations, we understand the importance of the safety and well being of our children. Special thanks to the law enforcement personnel of Petersburg, the media, the Lieutenant Governor's staff and all who assisted and attended the press conference."
Additionally, children in attendance signed the Project ChildSafe safety pledge and were encouraged to present the signed pledge to their parents to show their commitment to being safe around firearms.
Earlier this year, Lieutenant Governor Bolling announced Virginia's participation in Project ChildSafe, a national program whose purpose is to promote safe firearms handling and storage practices among firearms owners through the distribution of safety education messages and free gun locking devices.
Project ChildSafe is funded by grants from the United States Department of Justice, with additional funding provided by the firearms industry. Since 2003, Project ChildSafe has distributed 35 million firearm safety kits free of charge in all 50 states and some of the U.S. Territories, including more than 700,000 in Virginia. The Petersburg Sheriff's Office and Petersburg Police Department are both currently Project ChildSafe partners.
The House of Restoration Community Development Programs is an outreach of the House of Restoration Church and provides services to thousands of individuals and families in need and over 450 at-risk children each day in the Tri-Cities.
To receive free gun locks and firearm safety information, please contact Randy Marcus in the Lieutenant Governor's Office, randy.marcus@ltgov.virginia.gov or 804-786-2078, or Sonya Brown at the House of Restoration Community Development Programs, restorefam@aol.com or 804-862-2661.
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For additional information contact Randy Marcus at 804-814-7117 (cell) or randy.marcus@ltgov.virginia.gov.
