Rick Brown concludes his presentation by informing his PCEC audience about how they can help Helmet Heroes through donations, noting a single donation of 550 baht will be enough to provide a helmet for a child. PATTAYA, Thailand – On July 2nd, Rick Brown, the founder of Helmet Heroes, delivered an inspiring presentation at the Pattaya City Expats Club. Rick, an author and traveler, shared his personal journey and the impactful work of his organization, which aims to promote helmet use among children to reduce motorcycle accidents and protect the future generation. Rick’s motivation to start Helmet Heroes stems from a traumatic childhood experience. He recounted an event when he was 14 years old.  He mentioned that he was bullied in high school, and they sabotaged the brakes on his bicycle resulting in a fall that injured him severely. Upon coming to Thailand to live, he observed many children riding motorcycles without helmets.  His personal history fueled his determination to address the lack of helmet use among children. Initially, Rick began by purchasing helmets and distributing them with the cooperation of local police. His efforts quickly gained positive reactions and personal fulfillment from protecting children’s lives. The initiative soon went viral on social media and was featured on Channel 7 news, significantly increasing its visibility and impact. Helmet Heroes has since evolved into a formal organization, partnering with Rotary Club of Jomtien-Pattaya, local police, hospitals, and sponsors such as Ducati and Harley-Davidson to expand helmet distribution efforts.  Rick gave special thanks to Maxwell “Max” Kimberley-Thompson, current President of the Rotary Club of Jomtien-Pattaya for his support and devoting much of his time to assist with Helmet Heroes in their efforts. MC Ren Lexander presents the PCEC’s Certificate of Appreciation to “Savvy” Rick Brown for his informative and inspiring presentation about the worthwhile efforts of Helmet Heroes in providing free motorcycle helmets and educating children on the importance of their use. Rick emphasized that all helmets distributed are TIS certified and sourced from approved Thai factories, ensuring safety and legitimacy – TIS certification signifies that it meets the standards set by the Thai Industrial Standards Institute, which is a Thailand regulatory body that ensures the helmet meets specific safety requirements. Rick noted that an important part of their efforts is to visit schools in company with police officers and emergency medical personnel to educate the children about motorcycle helmet safety and why it is important to wear a helmet. This system includes a digital map on their website where children can see local businesses offering rewards like stickers, ice cream, and other treats for wearing their helmets. This approach aims to make helmet-wearing a fun and rewarding habit for children, thereby increasing compliance and enhancing their safety. Rick’s presentation highlighted the significant strides Helmet Heroes has made in protecting Thailand’s future. For more information about Helmet Heroes and how to support their mission, visit their website at  https://www.helmetheroesthailand.org/ or contact Rick by email at [email protected]. After Rick’s presentation, MC Ren Lexander updated everyone on upcoming PCEC activities. This was followed with the Open Forum portion of the meeting where questions are asked or comments made about Expat living in Thailand. For more information about the PCEC and their meeting location, visit their website at https://pcec.club.