Open Eye Club
By: Tom Helfert

The “Open Eye Club” was officially founded in 1929 by my dad Joseph E Helfert. The story of why he founded it happened a few years earlier while he was working for UPS, United Press International in Milwaukee. As he drove down a Milwaukee street, a boy ran out from between two cars and he almost hit the child. From that day on, my dad dedicated his life to making children’s safety a major emphasis.

He toured schools and was forever handing out “Open Eye Club” cards to children everywhere he went. He moved to Beaver Dam Wisconsin and became the editor of the Daily Citizen.

He wrote a daily column in that paper until is death November 28, 1973. The message to the children was simple. They made a pledge to:
1. Never to play in a street or cross a street without stopping to look both ways. Then I will walk, not run across.
2. Never to ride with or accept favors from a stranger.
3. Never to play with matches or fire in any form.
4. To always obey my teacher and my mother and father, especially concerning “safety” rules

This pledge was printed on the back of the membership card, which is pictured, to the right. I hope you will have your youngsters join the club and keep reminding them of the simple rules. I’m sure this will make my dad (see J.E.Helfert) happy in his new home in heaven.

Please also remember to drive defensively so you will not have to face that same problem my dad faced all those years ago when he almost hit the youngster running out in the street.