GLSRP Working with Family and Friends of Great Lakes Drowning Victims
And Great Lakes Drowning Survivors
(Melissa Zirkle and Quandrel Liggans, John and Kathy Kocher, Vicki Cech, Evelyn Hernandez, and Jamie Racklyeft)
09/04/2014 – PR – Ohio mom organizes three more water safety presentations in honor of her son; She’s also attending “Because I said I would” conference in Columbus, Sept. 6 to launch “Water Safety School Curriculum” fundraiser
06/26/2014 – PR – Indiana residents inspired by Mom of son who drowned in Lake Erie; Ogden Dunes water safety class scheduled for June 30
06/10/2014 – Fox 8 – Mother offers water safety classes after losing teenage son
06/09/2014 – The News Herald – Madison Township woman helps to organize water safety classes in memory of son who drowned
06/05/2014 – 19 Action News – Mom’s grief turns into useful initiative for community
06/05/2014 – Star Beacon – “I didn’t know rip currents were possible in Lake Erie,” Zirkle said in the ODNR statement. “I never realized until it was too late for my son. Now I want to raise awareness and help others receive education about drowning prevention so they can safely enjoy the water.”
06/05/2014 – The News-Herald – Beach safety, rescue classes set coming up in Lake, Ashtabula counties
05/27/2014– Media Advisory – Great Lakes Water Safety Advocates Working in Concert to Save Lives – Several water safety events planned for Chicagoland area in first week of June
05/08/2014 – WBBM News Radio 780 AM – Drowning Victim’s Parents Help Teach About Dangers Of Rip Currents
05/08/2014– Tinley Park Patch – In Memory of Matt: Water Safety Education an ‘Energizer’ for Couple Who Lost Son
05/07/2014 – ABC 7 – Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project educates students for safer swimming
05/07/2014 – Southtown Star – In Matt’s memory, and to help others avoid similar tragedies, the Kochers teamed up with the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project to bring water safety education to students at Andrew High School in Tinley Park Wednesday. #glsrp #MK56
05/06/2014 – Tribune Local – Andrew H.S. hosts water safety lesson in memory of drowned student
05/03/2014 – PR – Great Lakes Water Safety Presentation Wednesday, May 7, at Victor J. Andrew High School, Tinley Park, IL.
03/19/2014 – PR – TV talk show panelist ready to go for a water safety episode! To Combat the Great Lakes Drowning Epidemic – 328 Drownings since 2010
03/15/2014 – MLIVE – Vicki Cech, Grand Haven mother whose son drowned in rip current, to receive national community lifesaver award
03/04/2014 – WWMT – Grand Haven mother wins award over a decade after losing son to rip current
03/03/2014 – PR – Grand Haven’s Vicki Cech to Receive National Lifesaver Award
02/10/2014 – Star Beacon – Thirteen-year-old Jermaine Marcus Zirkle drowned in Lake Erie in July, leaving his mother, Melissa, with a fire in her heart to create a legacy for her son. She’s organizing GLSRP water safety and drowning prevention classes in June – possibly six classes between Conneaut and Mentor, Ohio.
08/30/2013 – CBS 2 – Water-Safety Advocate: ‘Flip, Float And Follow’ When In Distress
08/29/2013 – PR – One year anniversary of 8 Labor Day drownings approaches; 57 Great Lakes drowning’s to date in 2013; 319 since 2010
08/02/2013 – Up North Live coverage – Survivor shares story to promote swim safety – He drowned last year at Vans Beach in Leland, MI but was rescued and survived. The Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project performs beach safety classes as often as possible to teach people about the hidden dangers in any body of water.
07/31/2013 – PR – Beach Safety Classes coming to Leland and South Haven, MI. Public Education a Must!
07/31/2013 – PR – Drowning survivor to speak at Aug. 1 Leland “Great Lakes Water Safety” class.
07/08/2013 – SouthtownSTAR – Tragedies’ lesson: Be water wary – A Chicago woman bravely shares her story of how she was rescued last summer off the shores of Lake Michigan while her boyfriend drowned.
06/01/2013 – WGN Chicago – Video – Drowning survivor warns others about water safety
06/01/2013 – Northwest Indiana Times – A year after boyfriend drowns, woman aims to prevent lake tragedy; reunites with Fire Rescue Chaplain at water safety class – Evelyn Hernandez said her boyfriend, Leonel Dominguez, made a last-minute decision to buy an inflatable raft before they headed off last summer to a Beverly Shores beach to spend time in the water and watch the sunset. The decision proved disastrous.
05/31/2013 – PR – Drowning Survivor to Reunite with Rescue Chaplain – Drowning survivor, Evelyn Hernandez, will reunite with Chesterton Fire Department Chaplain, Rev. Lowell Black, at the “Great Lakes Water Safety” class that she is co-hosting, Saturday, June 1, 9:00 a.m. at the beautifully restored Marquette Park Pavilion, Gary, IN.
