DETROIT – Detroit families will have the opportunity to get free life jackets this week.
Huron-Clinton Metroparks is giving away 500 life jackets to children and adults outside of the Boll Family YMCA in Downtown Detroit at 3 p.m. on Thursday, June 19, to help eliminate swim safety barriers.
“Everyone deserves to feel safe around water, but we know cost and access to swim lessons and life jackets are a barrier for many families in our community,” said Metroparks CEO Amy McMillan. “We’re so excited to partner with the YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit and Thrivent Financial for the Metroparks’ first-ever free life jacket distribution event and we encourage Detroiters of all ages to stop by the Boll Family YMCA so we can help give them peace of mind this summer.”
The event, sponsored by Thrivent Financial, highlights efforts to promote drowning prevention and the need for water safety education.
“Drowning prevention and water safety are at the cornerstone of YMCA programming,” said Amanda Barone, Regional Director of Aquatics, YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit. “We are grateful to work with partners like the Huron-Clinton Metroparks to jointly tackle this epidemic in Southeastern Michigan and make our parks, pools and lakes safer. Hopefully, this event will help spread awareness and continue to remove barriers that prevent safety.”
Parkgoers are encouraged to bring their own life jacket or borrow one from Huron-Clinton Metroparks for free when swimming this summer.
To practice water safety, parkgoers are also encouraged to learn how to swim, designate a “water watcher” to keep an eye on swimmers and learn CPR.
Huron-Clinton Metroparks works with several community partners to provide free swim lessons for adults and children. For more information on how to get free swim lessons, visit here.
“As a former marine safety officer, I know firsthand that a life jacket can mean the difference between tragedy and survival,” said Wayne County Executive Warren C. Evans. “I’m proud to support efforts that promote water safety and protect families. These partnerships reflect our shared commitment to saving lives.”
The free life jacket event on Thursday begins at 3 p.m. and is first-come, first-served. The Boll Family YMCA is located at 1401 Broadway Street.