The Demopolis Pilot Club sponsored a proclamation naming March 15-21 as Brain Awareness Week in the City of Demopolis, signed Monday by mayor Mike Grayson.

Brain Awareness Week is a global campaign by Pilot Club International to increase awareness about the progress and benefits in brain research. Demopolis Pilot Club members have visited most of the first-grade classes around Marengo County to talk about brain safety and awarding a bicycle helmet to one fortunate student from each school. The club will round out its school visits when members go to Westside Elementary on Monday.

“This is more than making people aware about brain safety,” said president Andrea Ward. “We are also talking about things like brain exercises, which includes brain challenges and puzzles that keep the brain active throughout people’s lives.

“We have visited all but one of the first-grade classes in Marengo County, talking about brain health and brain safety. In total, we will have seen 315 first-graders in 21 classes.”

Brain health issues are a primary concern for Pilots Club International. The organization’s signature program is BrainMinders “Protecting Your Brain for Life,” which encompasses many areas from educating children in pre-kindergarten to senior adults and Alzheimer units.

According to the Pilot Club International Web site, there are 375 Pilot Clubs in the United States and 420 clubs worldwide with almost 11,000 members internationally.

For information about becoming a member of the Demopolis Pilot Club, contact Ward at (334) 341-1176.