To remember the 41 children who have lost their lives due to drowning in Collier County since 2000. 

Naples, Fla.—

WHAT: Just Against Children Drowning Foundation, Inc., The NCH Safe & Healthy Children’s Coalition of Collier County and The Florida Department of Health in Collier County would like to raise awareness about children drowning. The organizations will hold a dove release ceremony and a 1-2 mile candlelit beach walk to remember the 41 children who have lost their lives due to drowning in Collier County since 2000, and the 13 month old twins, Joshua and Christian, who lost their lives seven years ago.

WHERE: Vanderbilt Beach

WHEN: Friday, January 13th, 2017 at 4:00 p.m.

WHY: According to the Florida Department of Health Bureau of Vital Statistics, drowning is the leading cause of death among children ages 1-4 in Florida. Florida’s drowning death rate among children ages 1-4 is the highest in the nation. Collier County had 2 tourist children, under of the age of 4, drown in 2016.

SPECIAL GUEST: Stewie the Duck - The NCH Safe and Healthy Children’s Coalition of Collier County welcomed a mascot in 2016. Stewie can be found throughout the county spreading drowning prevention messages to children at parades, schools, museums, libraries and anywhere else he is invited.
We are asking all home owners, apartment communities, pool stores, realtors, homeowners’ associations and rental home owners to provide important information about drowning prevention. Please implement the layers of protection: supervision, swimming lessons, barriers (door and window alarms/pool fences) and know how to respond/provide CPR in the case of emergency to prevent future drowning tragedies in Collier County.

For more information, contact Paula DiGrigoli at (239) 537-3436.

About the Florida Department of Health

The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

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