May is National Water Safety Month and we think it’s the ideal time to introduce you to a charity that we support and admire: Water Smart Tots.
Pediatric drownings continue to rise, but Water Smart Tots are on a mission to change this. They are a nonprofit organization dedicated to combatting childhood drownings in the greater Tampa Bay area. Through community donations and support, they provide complimentary interactive water safety programs to thousands of preschoolers, as well as award hundreds of scholarships for high-quality one-on-one swim lessons to children aged 12 months to 5 years who are financially underprivileged.
The glittering gala
Water Smart Tots hosted their first-ever gala on May 6 to raise awareness for National Water Safety Month at The Vault Center, Tampa Bay. We were proud to be a platinum sponsor and honored to be presented with an appreciation plaque. It was a glittering evening, with the Tampa Bay Mayor in attendance and with Tampa Bay Fire Chief as a guest speaker.
And with a live band, dinner, cocktails, and a silent auction, we wouldn’t have missed it for the world.
The danger of open water
One of the reasons we relate so much to Water Smart Tots is that we share the same dream: a world where childhood drownings can be prevented. Their vision is “Every child, water smart.”
The founder of Water Smart Tots, Kari Bahour, is an Aquatic Behavioral & Drowning Specialist. She works tirelessly to educate preschoolers on water safety and prevent tragedy. Her mission started when her son, only 16 months old, had a near-miss at a friend’s pool. Thankfully, he survived, and the ordeal lit a fire of determination in Kari.
Kari enrolled her child in Infant Self Rescue (ISR) swim program, and he learned competence’ and ‘confidence’ in the water. She then became an ISR Instructor, teaching skills to others, and later founded Water Smart Tots.
At SEASALT, we know that working and living near the water is a dream and we wouldn’t have it any other way. It’s life, but with an ocean view. However, whether we are swimming or sailing, we never for one minute forget the danger of open water. Respect the power of water, never leave kids unattended, and teach them the life-saving skill of swimming.
Giving back
We applaud all that Water Smart Tots do for our community by teaching lifesaving skills and preventing tragedy. After all, the children and grandchildren in our lives are the most important and precious things we have.
There is so much that we love about living by the water. Here in West Florida, it’s a life enhanced by sun and sea. And at SEASALT, we consider ourselves very fortunate. That’s why it feels so good to give back to the community that has been so good to us. We’re happy to support a cause that’s close to home- and close to our heart.
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