FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project
Dave Benjamin, Executive Director
708-903-0166
dave.benjamin@glsrp.org
www.GLSRP.org
Day 2 at Reavis High School in Burbank, IL of the
Six states in six days for 18 water safety presentations
To support a water safety school curriculum
GREAT LAKES, USA – The Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project (GLSRP) announces that it will be spending Day 2 of its “Six States in Six Days” of water safety presentations on Tuesday, May 12 at Reavis High School in Burbank, IL in support of its campaign for a water safety school curriculum in the Great Lakes Region.
The seven Burbank presentations are sponsored by the Matthew Kocher Foundation. Matthew drowned in a Lake Michigan rip current in 2013.
Since his passing the Kocher family has partnered with the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project to advocate water safety. The family has established the Matthew Kocher Foundation, a non-profit organization in memory of Matthew to promote water safety, host community service projects, and award scholarships to deserving students.
“It’s important for water safety to be in schools today. Drowning is one hundred percent preventable,” said John Kocher. (Watch the Kocher’s “Because I said I would” Promise Video.)
“People may be used to swimming in a controlled environment like a pool, but people need to have an understanding and a greater respect for open water environments. The water is fun, but it can be powerful and hazardous,” Kocher added.
“Most people do not know that drowning is one of the leading causes of accidental death in the nation,” said Dave Benjamin, GLSRP executive director. “And with summer temps warming up, many people will be flocking to water destinations to enjoy the outdoors.”
“In schools today there are fire drills, tornado drills, school shooter drills, and some even have earthquake drills, but very few have any water safety education. Unfortunately though more people in the United States will die from drowning each year than in fires, tornadoes, school shooters, and earthquakes combined. So why is there little water safety education?”
The GLSRP is on the road to Wisconsin, Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Indiana to support the importance of a water safety school curriculum.
ITINERARY FOR WATER SAFETY PRESENTATIONS
Mon., May 11 – Port Washington, MI (x4) – Saukville Elementary 9:00 a.m.; Dunwiddie Elementary 10:15 a.m.; Lincoln Elementary 12:45 p.m.; St. Mary’s Parochial Elementary 2:15 p.m.
Tues., May 12 – Burbank, IL (x7) – 7:55 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. – Reavis High School
Wed., May 13 – Jefferson, OH (x2) – 1:15 p.m. and 2:15 p.m. Jefferson Elementary, Grades K-2 and 3-6
Wed., May 13 – Jefferson, OH 6:30 p.m. Ashtabula County Water Rescue Team and First Responders at the Rome Fire Department, 3162 US-6, Rome, OH, (440) 563-3990
Thurs., May 14 – Erie, PA (x2) – Great Lakes Children’s Festival
Fri., May 15 – St. Johns, MI, 1:00 p.m. – Eureka Elementary School, 7550 N. Welling Rd.
Sat., May 16 – Porter, IN, 1:00 p.m. Indiana Dunes Visitors Center, 1215 N. State Road 49
GLSRP Drowning Statistics
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Follow GLSRP on Twitter @ripcurrentsafeT
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ABOUT THE GLSRP
The Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project, Inc. (GLSRP) is about saving lives. It is a nonprofit 501c3 corporation that is a Chapter of the National Drowning Prevention Alliance (NDPA).
The GLSPR:
- Tracks the Great Lakes drowning statistics (389 since 2010)
- Teaches “Great Lakes Water Safety” classes (Over 135 classes since 2011)
- Hosts Surf Lifeguard Certification courses (pics), and
- Works with family and friends of Great Lakes drowning victims to advocate water safety.
#glsrp
#watersafetyschoolcurriculum
#6statesin6days
#becauseisaidiwould
#StopDrowning
#WHOdrowning
#greatlakes
#watersafety
#MelissaZirkle
#NDPA
#lifesaveroftheyear
