Success Stories About
Volunteers
Water is so inviting on a hot summer
day yet can be so deadly
.
Story by Park Ranger Robert Schnell
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission ranked Florida as
number one in states with the most boating accidents in 2001, and ranked Lee
County number as number nine in counties with the most boating accidents in
2002. These statistics illustrate the need for water safety programs. The
children of today are the boaters of tomorrow. By educating our youth on
safe practices in and around the water, we provide them with the information
to lower these statistics. The Corps operates 152 miles of waterway at Lake
Okeechobee and the Okeechobee Waterway. Our dedicated water safety
volunteers take pride in teaching children how to be safe in and around the
water.
Earle
and Carolyn Rich have been water safety volunteers at W.P. Franklin Lock on
the Okeechobee Waterway in Florida since January 3, 2002. Since that time
the Rich’s have placed 15,148 elementary school students in P.F.D.s while
illustrating the importance of water safety. Water safety programs are
taught from Kindergarten to Fifth Grade by introducing students to the
following topics illustrated within the American Red Cross Longfellow’s
Whale Tales Curriculum: Swim with a Buddy in a Supervised Area, Be
Cool Follow the Rule, Look Before You Leap, Think So You Don’t Sink, Reach
or Throw Don’t Go, Don’t Just Pack It Wear Your Jacket, Cold Can Kill, and
Learn About Boating Before You Go Floating.
The
Rich’s utilize posters, P.F.D.s, throw rings, paddles, throw bags, noodles,
balls, and milk jugs during their water safety programs for students to
grasp the concepts. Students really enjoy these programs because they relate
to their every day activities. These programs are especially effective when
the teachers become involved within the program by sharing personal stories.
Earle and Carolyn Rich will be honored at the 2004 International Boating and
Water Safety Summit in Panama City Beach, FL for their water safety efforts.
The Rich’s will be presented with a Letter of Commendation from the National
Water Safety Congress. The staff at Lake Okeechobee would also like to thank
the Rich’s for all of their hard work and dedication in promoting water
safety to elementary schools students. Our hats are off to you.
Do you have a volunteer success story to share?
We will rotate
stories and print them as space becomes available.
