The Western Illinois Chapter is proud to be able to bring Trevor Hoff to the Pike County high schools in recognition of the Chapter's 15th Anniversary during National Farm Safety & Health Week.

        On July 2, 2005, Trevor, then fourteen, was climbing off a tractor at his family's farm in rural New Windsor, Maryland when it began to roll forward. He was pulled into the path of the oncoming tire and his pelvis and face were crushed under the weight of the tractor. Trevor will be sharing the rest of his story to high school students in Pittsfield, Griggsville, Barry and Pleasant Hill on September 19th and 20th.

        Trevor believes one of the reasons he survived his severe crushing injuries is to help prevent others from experiencing a similar incident.

        "I am eager to teach everyone, from young children to senior adults, about the importance of safe farming practices. I've learned the hard way that it's important for those who live on, work at and visit farms to always be aware of the many the hazardous situations that are present in the farm enviroment. Education is extremely important in helping to reduce injuries and fatalities and enable people to respond appropriately to those situations."

Trevor's presentation schedule is as follows:

        Monday, September 19

        Pleasant Hill High School: 8:30 - 9:30 AM

        Greggsville-Perry High School: 12:00 - 1:00 PM

        Pittsfield High School: 2:30 - 3:30 PM

        Tuesday, September 20

        Western High School, Barry: 10:30 - 11:30 AM

        An informal opportunity to meet Trevor will be hosted by Cindy & Jeff Gerard at the lower barn at their home south of Pittsfield from 5:30 - 7:30 PM on Monday, September 19th. Hamburgers, hot dogs, chips and beverages will be served. If you plan to attend, please call Cindy at (217) 473-1324 or Jeff at (217) 473-7866, and bring lawn chairs.

        Follow-up: Approximately 800 students attended Trevor's presentations at the four schools and we think he was able to make a strong, and hopefully lasting, impression on them. The Western Illinois Chapter thanks the administrators and staff of each of the schools for providing the time for this important message and the students for the courtesy they showed Trevor. We all need to remember Trevor's main point: everything we do has some kind of effect (good or bad) on our Future, our Family, and our Friends ~ we need to strive to make those effects good.