Bishop's Blessing

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 On May 29, 2011, at the age of 3 months, 12 days, Norman Lee Van Collins III, affectionately known as “Bishop” succumbed to heat stroke after accidentally being left in a hot car in a church parking lot in Clarksdale, MS due to a lapse in communication.  Since 1990, an average of 38 children have died each year from heat stroke deaths,  https://www.kidsandcars.org/child-stories/bishop-collins 

• Place the child’s diaper bag or item in the front passenger seat as a visual cue that the child is with you.
• Make it a habit of opening the back door every time you park to ensure no one is left behind. To enforce this habit, place an item that you can’t start your day without in the back seat (employee badge, laptop, phone, handbag, etc.)
• Ask your childcare provider to call you right away if your child hasn’t arrived as scheduled.
• Clearly announce and confirm who is getting each child out of the vehicle. Miscommunication can lead to thinking someone else removed the child.

In an effort to spread the awareness and prevention of such horrible tragedies, the Collins and Van Family have established the Bishop’s Blessing Scholarship at Durham Technical Community College to support talented and deserving students pursuing higher education in Early Childhood Education.  As potential child care professionals, it is our hope that their education and this scholarship will positively impact the prevention and awareness of children in and around hot cars.  

If you would like donate to the scholarship fund, please click on the button below.  Be sure to indicate that the donation is in honor of Norman "Bishop" Collins III or Bishop's Blessing Scholarship.  Your generosity towards helping to save lives is greatly appreciated.