Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project

• Water safety education in schools,
• Statewide drowning reporting databases,
• Public rescue equipment, and
• Lifeguards on beaches in the Great Lakes Region.

WATER SAFETY -- NOW MORE THAN EVER -- May is National Water Safety Month and water safety and the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project needs you Now More than Ever! Because of the pandemic, school buildings are closed and classrooms are empty. This means our water safety PRESENTATIONS have been CANCELLED this winter and spring.

Now more than ever water safety and the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project needs your support, so we can launch successful Summer 2020 Water Safety Campaigns, water safety presentations, and Lifeguard and First Responder In-service Training Sessions.

And during this time of pandemic, the Coronavirus is on everyone’s mind -- as it should be -- But we should not forget that summer coming.

And for everyone Sheltering in Place, we know that when summer hits we will all want to get out of the house and hit the pool, the lake, one of the Great Lakes, or the Ocean.

So we need to prepare NOW for a successful summer launch of GLSRP water safety education, outreach, and lifeguard and first responder training programs.

As a nonprofit organization, this pandemic has been devastating on our operations and water safety fundraising efforts.

Any amount that you can contribute during this critical time will make a huge difference and help fund the GLSRP operations.

The GLSPR has 5 Key Areas of Operations:
1. We track the drownings in the Great Lakes (843+ drownings since 2010)

2. We perform “Great Lakes Water Safety” presentations (Over 850+ in 7 of the 8 Great Lakes states since 2011)

3. We work with family and friends of Great Lakes drowning victims to help them advocate water safety.

4. We perform Open Water Surf Lifeguard In-service Training and First Responder In-service Training

5. And we lead the Great Lakes Water Safety Public Relations and Media Relations Campaigns.Will you join me in making this difference?

Any donation will make a huge impact.

Now more than ever Water Safety Needs You!

Thanks in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to me.

Dave Benjamin
GLSRP Co-founder and Executive Director
2020 NDPA Lifesaver of the Year

Link to fundraising video.

My name is Dave Benjamin and I'm the co-founder and executive Director of the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project.

The future of the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project and the future of Great Lakes water safety is in your hands. 

Please consider donating to the GLSRP today. 
 
HERE, TODAY
I am here today because in 2010 I survived a drowning incident while surfing in Lake Michigan.

I am here today because after that drowning incident I said I would dedicate my life to water safety and a water safety school curriculum. 

I am here today because I said I would advocate water safety on behalf of family and friends of drowning victims. 

But I am also here today for you. 

THE WORK OF THE GLSRP
Through the GLSRP, we are here to share simple lifesaving water safety information that could save your life or the lives of your loved ones.

We do this primarily through:
1. Tracking the Great Lakes drownings
2. Teaching Great Lakes water safety
3. Working with family and friends of drowning victims
4. Providing lifeguard and first responder in-service training
5. Networking with other water safety agencies
6. And through our public relations and media relations campaigns.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Since June 2011, the GLSRP has now performed over 750 Great Lakes Water Safety Presentations in 7 of the 8 Great Lakes States. We have also had over 500 water safety media mentions.  We are here for you today, but we really do need you for tomorrow.  I want to do this work for you for the rest of my life, but the GLSRP cannot do it without your renewed and continued support. 

PRECIOUS LIVES LOST 
Unfortunately 2018 was the deadliest year on the Great Lakes with approximately 117 drownings.  The Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project is the only agency tracking all of the drownings in the Great Lakes.  And there have now been over 740 Great Lakes drownings since 2010.  Over 740 drownings that could have been avoided or the victim could have possibly survived the drowning incident if they only had some simple water safety information.  Unfortunately water safety is not common sense yet.  It is assumed to be common sense, but it is not. It is not common sense like “Stop, Drop, and Roll” is common sense if your clothes catch on fire.

The GLSRP is a nonprofit 501c3 charitable organization.

Your donations will SUPPORT:
·       The operations of the GLSRP
·       The tracking of the Great Lakes drowning statistics
·       The continued development of our water safety school curriculum and our public water safety curriculum
·       Advocacy for family and friends of drowning victims
·       Water safety public relations, media relations, and social media campaigns
·       Continued community outreach and intervention for beach communities that have experienced drownings
·       Continued in-service training for Great Lakes lifeguards and first responders for open water surf rescues and water resuscitation

Again the future of the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project and the future of Great Lakes water safety is in your hands. 

Please consider donating today.  

The fundraising link is below and in the video description.

Thank you!

Have a safe day at the beach! And have a safe summer at the beach!