A generous donation from Kergan Bros. Sonic is making it possible to provide free car seats to Louisiana families, including those right here in Caddo Parish, said Sheriff Steve Prator.

 Kergan Bros. Sonic donated $48,000 to purchase approximately 1,000 child safety car seats for families in need. The money was raised through the sale of 2016 Sonic “Tot” calendars sold at 54 restaurant locations throughout the state.

 Qualifying families who are not able to purchase their own child safety car seat can sign up online at http://www.umcno.org/injuryprevention. The deadline to apply is April 10.

Approved applicants will receive their child safety seats at a future event where the seats will be properly installed by certified child passenger safety technicians with the Louisiana Passenger Safety Task Force (LPSTF).

The LPSTF, which includes Caddo Parish sheriff’s deputies, is a network of certified technicians who work to correctly install child car restraints, encourage child safety seat and seat belt usage in motor vehicles, and provide resources to technicians and the community to reduce injuries and deaths from motor vehicle crashes. The LPSTF is an injury prevention special interest group run by the University Medical Center New Orleans Trauma Program.