Pictured from left: Jim Grundstrom, representing the Marquette Mountain Ski Patrol; Melissa Holmquist, CEO of Upper Peninsula Health Plan, the major sponsor of the Helmet Head Club Project; Brigitte LaPointe-Dunham of UPHP; Chris Kirk from Northern Michigan University Athletics; Doug Lindblom from Eagle Mine; and Karen Benstrom, events coordinator for Marquette Mountain. (Journal photo by Jim Reevs)

By Journal Staff

MARQUETTE — Safety on the hill is always a concern for the parents of young skiers and snowboarders, and a group of local organizations have partnered together to give away helmets and goggles to 150 kids at Marquette Mountain on Sunday.

The Helmet Head Project, previously known as Heads U.P. on Safety, will educate kids and families on the benefits of wearing a properly fitted helmet.

Registration for the event begins at 1 p.m. at the Marquette Mountain chalet, at 4501 M-553, Marquette. The event lasts till 4 p.m.

The first 150 kids, ages 17 and younger, who register for the Helmet Head Club at the event will receive a free fitted helmet and goggles, a press release states. All children who participate in the event will receive a Helmet Head sticker and become an official member of the club.

The event is organized by employees and volunteers from Marquette Mountain, Marquette Mountain Ski Patrol, Northern Michigan University Ski & Snowboard Club and NMU athletic trainers, and sponsored by Upper Peninsula Health Plan, UP Health System and Eagle Mine.

“It was an easy decision for Upper Peninsula Health Plan to assist with the Helmet Head Project,” said Melissa Holmquist, CEO of UPHP. “It not only promotes healthy activity for youth during the winter months but also promotes helmet safety awareness. By providing children with a free helmet and pair of goggles we are helping with an additional cost that families may incur with children who are interested in winter sports — as well as taking away any additional parent worry that their child will be safe on the hill.”