3 New “Kids Don’t Float, Life Jackets Do!” Life Jacket Loaner Stations Now Available in Naples: On Monday, August 4th at 8:30 a.m. at the Naples Pier we hosted an event to launch new “Kids Don’t Float, Life Jackets Do!” life jacket loaner stations at the three area beaches in the City’s limits, including the historic Naples Pier, the Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club (851 Gulf Shore Blvd. North, Naples) and Lowdermilk Park (1301 Gulf Shore Blvd. North, Naples). There will be 20 life jackets at each area beaches with four adult sizes, four sizes 10-18 years, five sizes 5-10 years, and seven sizes for children five and under.
The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 93 will conduct a monthly inspection on the condition of the life jackets for needed repairs or replacement.
This ambitious and cooperative program will provide another layer of protection against drowning, the leading cause of death of children ages one-to four-years who reside in Collier County.
The life jacket loaner program is already serving the following locations in Collier County: Sugden Park, Clam Pass, Vanderbilt Beach, South Marco Island, and Tigertail Beach. The Coalition’s goal is to expand the program to offer loaner life jackets throughout Collier County.
Special thanks to the following people who came to this event and made this program possible:
- City of Naples Mayor John F. Sorey
- Representative Kathleen Passidomo
- Jesse Purdon District Representative- Congressman Curt Clawson
- Mr. Harold Weeks, Collier County NCAAP
- Kim Burgess – Drowning Prevetion Coordinator Florida Department of Health in Broward.
- Commander Bob Adubato – US Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 93
- Eric Watters – Florida Swimming Pools Association – Gulf Coast Chapter
Also special thanks to the following donors, sponsors and supporters:
- City of Naples
- Collier County Parks & Recreation
- Commissioner Donna Fiala
- West Marine
- Sprigg Yacht Consulting – Steve and Kelly Simard Sprigg
- US Coast Guard Auxiliary 93, 95 and 96
- Penny Anderson
- Chip & Lynne Shotwell
- Charlie & Nancy Wesley
- George & Kathy Bishop
- Tom & Nancy Cooper
- Jerry Vandergrift
- Christopher & Elizabeth Carrere
- Molly’s Marine Service
- SeaTech Marine Electronics
- Mikel & Keely Miller
- James & Cindy Coyle & Children
- Jerry & Penny Briant
- Ken & Mary Nichols
- Zack & Dylan Chappell
- Hamilton Harbor Yacht Club
- Bill & Linda Halbritter
- Ellis & Carrie Summers
- Seidensticker & San Filippo, LLC Attorneys at Law
- Rus Loyet
- Joe DeVito
- Lial Field
- Chris Medford
- John Pizzi
- Phillip Roggia
- Joe Femia
- John Ebert
- Jim Bandy of West Marine
- Jason Parker of Autotran, Inc.
- Steve Sherman of Sew Shore Embroidery & Screen Printing
- George Puente of Accent Signs
- 21st Century Oncology
- Mercy Puente – City of Naples – River Park Community Center
- Karen T. Bartlett from “A la Carte, Inc.”
Thank you NBC-2 for featuring this wonderful program, here is link to their coverage: