Head Start Children to Receive Free Swimming Lessons

For immediate release: June 3, 2009
Contact: Drowning Prevention Coalition 561-616-7068
Who: YWCA Head Start children
When: June 4, 10:30 a.m.
Where: Warren Hawkins Aquatic Center, Gaines Park
1501 N. Australian Ave.
West Palm Beach, FL 33401

The Rotary Club of Palm Beach donated $920 so that approximately 35, 4-year-old Head Start children could receive free swim lessons. The donation was given to the Drowning Prevention Coalition of Palm Beach County to help prevent drowning incidents in the county.

According to the Florida Department of Health, drowning is the leading cause of death among children aged 1 to 4 in Florida. Florida’s drowning death rate among children under age 5 is the highest in the nation. The number of children who drown each year in Florida is equivalent to approximately four preschool classrooms.

In 2007, 479 Florida residents drowned and another 374 were hospitalized for nonfatal drownings; children under age 5 accounted for 16 percent of the deaths and 44 percent of the hospitalizations.

With summer season beginning, it is imperative that a pro-active approach to drowning prevention is taken.