Accidental drowning is the leading cause of death for children 1 -4 and the second cause for children under age 14.  For the past 10 years ago, we have supported the Josh the Otter project, whose mission is to promote child water safety and drowning prevention.

 

It began with a tragedy. Joshua Collingsworth was only 2 ½ years old when he drowned in the family pool. Blake and Kathy Collingsworth, Josh’s parents, were Rotarians and decided that his death would not be in vain. Their research showed that the most effective way to prevent drowning was first, to teach young children not to near the water without an adult, and secondly to teach children to float and swim.

 

This became our mission as well: to prevent these avoidable tragedies and save young lives. We have partnered with the four elementary schools of the Voorhees school district. Over the past 10 years we have purchased about 5000 “Josh the Baby Otter books” which we not only distribute to kindergarten children, but also read the story to them in class. The book explains, in pictures and simple language, the  importance of water safety, including learning to float and swim and not going near the water without an adult

 

More recently, we have worked with an area swim school to provide basic swim/float lessons and funded scholarships for these lessons to needy children.

Thanks to our many sponsors and benefactors including our members, Virtua Hospital, Investors Bank,  Roma Bank and  Patient First.