[Newark, NJ – June 28, 2017] The family of Jimmy Gonzalez, a former Newark Public Schools graduate, donated 98 helmets to 4th grade students at the Benjamin Franklin School on Park Avenue, recently. Twenty-two year old Gonzalez was killed while riding his motorcycle two years ago. The helmets were donated by the Jimmy Gonzalez Foundation, created by his aunt and Godmother, Anita Soto, a teacher at the Benjamin Franklin School. Mayor Ras J. Baraka’s office also donated a number of helmets.

The helmets were distributed as part of a 4th grade student assembly that took place in the gymnasium of the school. Before the helmets were distributed, students participated in hands-on workshops on bicycle safety presented by the Rutgers University Police Department in partnership with the Rutgers University Medical School and the Newark Fire Department.

“Jimmy loved Newark Public Schools and he loved Newark,” said Ms. Soto. “After graduating from Ridge Street School, he matriculated into culinary arts, becoming a chef at Broadway House, where he treated each patient with care, creating specialized meals based on their medical status. He always wanted to give back to Newark and this is our way of extending his spirit of giving back to others.”

The Foundation began the program two years ago at Ridge Street School with the donation of 100 helmets and hopes to continue the Foundation and the helmet giveaway next year.