Thursday, December 4, volunteers from Buckle-Up coalitions in Missoula, Mineral and Ravalli counties will gather for the Tri-County "Empty Dinner Table Event " at Westside Lanes in Missoula.

Director for the Ravalli County Buckle-Up Coalition, Charmell Owens said that the event is to honor the many volunteers who have made a difference in encouraging people to fasten their seat belts and save lives over the past year.

"The event is actually to celebrate those whose lives have been saved by buckling up," Owens said. "We will also honor our law enforcement officers and other agency volunteers who come to the table and assist us with our organization."

Owens lists some of those who will be honored at Thursday's event.

"Missoula County will definitely be honoring Sheriff Carl Ibsen for all the work he's been doing on DUI prevention," Owens said. "I believe he was the first person to implement compliance checks in Missoula County, along with about 12 others who will be recognized. There will also be volunteers from Mineral and Ravalli counties who will honored."

Owens said mothers who lost children in accidents where seat belts were not used would also be honored for their volunteer work.

"Recently, two of those moms were featured in a Missoulian article," Owens said. They both have lost their children in accidents where they weren't wearing seat belts, so they've been going around the community and doing education."

Owens said the event runs from noon to 3 p.m. at Westside Lanes, 1414 Wyoming in Missoula, and the public is invited to attend.

Director for the Ravalli County Buckle-Up Coalition, Charmell Owens

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