Free helmet giveaway sees overwhelming demand at Windsor park

Lisa Gaspar, director of programs and services for the Brain Injury Association of Windsor and Essex, is seen at Optimist Memorial Park during the organization’s free helmet giveaway on June 20, 2026. (Sanjay Maru/CTV News Windsor)

A child can still suffer a concussion while wearing a helmet — so imagine the damage a fall or collision could cause without one.

That’s one of the stark reminders from the Brain Injury Association of Windsor and Essex, which held a free helmet giveaway Saturday at Optimist Memorial Park.

Organizers brought about 80 helmets to the public event, expecting demand similar to a giveaway held last fall. But within roughly the first half-hour, nearly all of them were gone.

“We were not expecting this demand,” said Lisa Gaspar, the association’s director of programs and services.

Only a handful remained when Gaspar spoke with CTV News, as one of her colleagues returned to the organization’s office to search for more.

The association regularly visits local schools to provide helmet safety information, deliver presentations about concussions, and give helmets to children who do not have one.

Saturday’s event was intended to make the same support available to families outside the school system as children begin spending more time outdoors during the summer.

“It’s the time when everybody is out on their bikes and their skateboards and all sorts of stuff,” Gaspar said.

“So, we just want to make sure that everybody’s safe.”

Gaspar said helmets cannot eliminate the possibility of a concussion or other brain injury, but they can lessen the severity of the harm caused by a fall or collision.

“You can still get a concussion and a brain injury even if you’re wearing a helmet,” she said.

“But if you’re wearing a helmet, it’s going to significantly decrease the damage that you’re going to receive.”

Gaspar said the association has also worked with people who suffered brain injuries after being struck by vehicles or colliding with other cyclists.

“It’s really important to do anything you can to reduce the risk of a brain injury because it can be catastrophic,” she said.

According to a study on helmet safety, 95 per cent of children wear one while riding with a helmeted adult, but that number drops to 40 per cent when children are riding with an adult who is not wearing one.

According to the Brain Injury Association, every dollar spent on bicycle helmets can prevent $30 in injury-related costs. It says the medical costs associated with a serious head injury can reach approximately $400,000 in the first year alone.

Families were also reminded that one helmet may not be appropriate for every activity.

For example, bicycle helmets are classified as single-impact equipment, while hockey helmets are designed to withstand multiple impacts. Different helmet types and safety standards may also apply to activities such as BMX cycling, skateboarding, in-line skating, skiing, and snowboarding.

Gaspar said the strong turnout showed how much demand exists for accessible safety equipment.

“It’s been a fantastic success so far,” she said.