Children's Book Author Dayna Hilton: An incredible day!

Friday, October 16, 2009

An incredible day!

Recently I was invited by President H.W. Bush (the 41st) to attend the Points of Light Presidential Forum on Service with him and President Barack Obama at Texas A&M University and today was the big day! This celebration celebrated the 20th anniversary of the prestigious Points of Light Award.

Johnson County RFD #1’s Fire Safety Team was awarded the Points of Light Award by President George H.W. Bush on June 8, 2006. Each year, Johnson County RFD #1 firefighters and Fire Corps donate over 6,000 hours to the department's fire safety program.

Before the event started, I had the honor of sharing with everyone in attendance the story of Johnson County RFD #1's Fire Safety Team (comprised of firefighters and Fire Corps members) and the efforts to keep everyone fire safe.

I was grateful to have the opportunity to share our experience with everyone present so that they would know what a tangible difference that not only firefighters, but also Fire Corps volunteers, can make in a community.

Kari Wood, a former director of RFD #1 Fire Corps and now program coordinator for the national Fire Corps office, attended the ceremony on behalf of the RFD #1’s Fire Corps. We were indeed honored to be recognized by not only President George H.W. and Mrs. Barbara Bush again but this time by President Obama. Not only were the Bush's there with the President, but past A&M President Secretary of Defense Gates and Senator Sam Dunn - among many other dignitaries. We were honored when we were asked to stand and be recognized with the other Points of Light Award winners. Here is some great info on the event: http://www.kbtx.com/home/headlines/64655067.html

No comments:

About Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog

Firefighter and nationally recognized fire safety expert Dayna Hilton, known as “Firefighter Dayna” to millions of children and their caregivers, is the author of the critically acclaimed award-winning children’s book, Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog.

The children's fire safety picture book, Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog, has been credited with saving several lives. Inspired by her work as a firefighter and her four-legged friend, Sparkles, Firefighter Dayna created a heart-warming story about Sparkles.

As children learn of the adventures of Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog, they learn valuable fire safety tips enabling them and their families to keep fire safe. These tips include recognizing the firefighter as a helper and a friend, knowing the sound and purpose of a smoke alarm, learning how to crawl low under smoke, and understanding the importance of practicing a home fire drill using an escape map.

Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog has received national press coverage, including the Chicago Tribune newspaper and webpage, the Baltimore Sun webpage, Firehouse.com, FIDO Friendly Magazine, DogSport Magazine, and many more.

Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog is not only fun, but educational and based on the latest research. This book is fun and educationally sound, based on the latest fire safety research for young children by Oklahoma State University's Fire Protection Publications.

"Two paws up!" Jenni Glenn, PBS KIDS Sprout

"Sparkles the Dalmatian has her paw on the pulse of fire safety as she helps teach children how to prevent and escape a house fire." Michael Tercha, Chicago Tribune webpage

"They [the class] LOVED the book!! They were so impressed with Sparkles, she is all they talked about! They all want a fire dog now!!I think the book looks great!!!! I love the real pictures, that really made it believable!!" Mrs. Kelli Grigsby, Kindergarten Teacher

"My 3 year old daughter loves this book and CD. In a matter of 2 readings, she knows the theme song, what a smoke alarm does, and how to stay low and go like Sparkles! We saw Sparkles and Spanner at FDIC in Indy. What great dogs." Lesa, a mom and former firefighter-10 yrs.

"Each night that we have read Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog, Cole continues to tell ME how HE will get out of the house in case of fire." Carrie, mother of Cole, age three

"This book may be used as a guide to educators, parents, other family members and as a colorful means of learning to the children themselves. "

John M. Malecky, 1st Responder Newspaper

"Written by firefighter Dayna Hilton, Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog is a wonderful, flat-spined children's picturebook about the basics of fire safety - as taught with assistance from Sparkles, a friendly female dalmatian. Illustrated with full-color photographs of the real Sparkles and her friends on virtually every page, Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog tells young readers what to do if they hear the noise from a smoke alarm: "In case of fire, be sure to crawl low under the smoke on your hands and knees. The air is cleaner and cooler there. Get low and go to your outside meeting place." A great way for parents to introduce their children to doing fire drills, especially sure to appeal to young dog lovers." The Midwest Book Review / Children's Bookwatch (Reviewer's Choice Review)