On Wednesday, September 11th, Penfield Children’s Center hosted its annual Safety Safari, a free and family-friendly community event that brought together over 400 attendees for an afternoon filled with fun, resources, and safety education. Held in our parking lot on 833 N. 26th Street, the event ran from 2 pm to 6 pm and provided something for everyone.

Families enjoyed a range of exciting activities and experiences, including the beloved Betty Brynn Wonder Wagon, where kids explored and learned through interactive play. Children also had the chance to meet a Milwaukee police horse and receive free safari hats and vests, adding to the adventure-themed fun.

We were thrilled to partner with Spin, who provided free helmets to ensure kids could stay safe on their bikes, while the Milwaukee Public Museum wowed attendees with a hands-on fossil activity. Children also had the chance to explore fire trucks up close, a definite highlight for many little ones.

To keep everyone cool, Pepe’s Pop treated guests to frozen treats, and thanks to the generosity of TRICOM, we were able to distribute backpacks filled with school supplies, ensuring kids are ready for the new school year. Families also received lead clean-up kits, underscoring our commitment to creating safer, healthier homes in the community.

The event was a tremendous success, and we couldn’t have done it without the support of our vendors, volunteers, and partners, including The Near West Side.

Thank you to everyone who came out to join the fun and learn about health, safety, and community resources. We are already looking forward to next year’s Safety Safari!