Loan a Life Jacket Program Grapevine
Donation protected
Hello, my name is Rohan Rumalla, and I am raising money for the Loan-A-Life Jacket Program at Grapevine Lake. This program, founded in 2017, includes 5 life-jacket station trees at popular swimming locations around the lake. Boaters and swimmers may borrow life jackets from one of the trees and return them prior leaving to the lake. All donations will be put directly into buying life jackets for the program.
My story and why this program matters to me:
I'm a 17-year-old student at Carroll High School in Southlake, Texas. I am looking forward to my senior year and beyond. However, I'm extremely fortunate to be able to write this to you today or to even be here at all. Ten years ago, I had a near-drowning in my own backyard pool. On that fateful day, I passed out underwater, where I remained for over five minutes. When I was pulled out, I was unconscious, blue, and had no pulse. I was taken to Cook Children's in Fort Worth via helicopter in critical condition, and my chances for survival were low. But through the wonders of science, my medical team, and the grace of God, I woke up three days later. I survived. My family and I remain extremely blessed and thankful; however, many families are not so lucky. Since my drowning, I have been involved in drowning prevention and water safety, as I feel it is my duty to do my best to prevent further tragedy.
Why the Loan-A-Life Jacket program matters:
Drowning kills an average of 3,536 people in the United States each year. Many of these drownings occur in lakes, rivers, creeks, etc. where the water can be unpredictable and the ability to swim difficult, making life jackets essential, especially for people who do not know how to swim or have limited swimming ability. This includes Grapevine Lake, a place I know most in our community know and enjoy. Over the past 3 years, 21 people have drowned in Grapevine Lake; none of these victims were wearing life jackets. Life jackets save lives, but many who enter or swim in Lake Grapevine do not own one. The city of Grapevine recognized this, and in 2017 established the Loan-A-Life Jacket Program. This excellent idea has most likely prevented many possible drownings. In fact, the results speak for themselves: 10 people drowned in 2017, but since the program was fully implemented, that number has approximately been halved each year.
Why the money is needed:
Unfortunately, many life jackets go missing over the course of the summer. As the Loan-A-Life Jacket Program is only funded through donations, resources are limited to replace these life jackets. That is why I am asking YOU, this great community, to donate to this amazing cause. There are 130 life jackets altogether between the 5 stations, and each one costs $14. During a given summer, 60 of these go missing which leaves many potential users with limited accessibility to life jackets and at greater risk of drowning. My goal is to raise $5000 which should be enough to fund the program for at least the next five years.
We have already had enough tragedy and turmoil in 2020 battling through the Covid-19 Pandemic. As summer begins, and more people head to the lake than ever, you can do your part to help save lives.
Thank you for reading and please consider a donation.
My story and why this program matters to me:
I'm a 17-year-old student at Carroll High School in Southlake, Texas. I am looking forward to my senior year and beyond. However, I'm extremely fortunate to be able to write this to you today or to even be here at all. Ten years ago, I had a near-drowning in my own backyard pool. On that fateful day, I passed out underwater, where I remained for over five minutes. When I was pulled out, I was unconscious, blue, and had no pulse. I was taken to Cook Children's in Fort Worth via helicopter in critical condition, and my chances for survival were low. But through the wonders of science, my medical team, and the grace of God, I woke up three days later. I survived. My family and I remain extremely blessed and thankful; however, many families are not so lucky. Since my drowning, I have been involved in drowning prevention and water safety, as I feel it is my duty to do my best to prevent further tragedy.
Why the Loan-A-Life Jacket program matters:
Drowning kills an average of 3,536 people in the United States each year. Many of these drownings occur in lakes, rivers, creeks, etc. where the water can be unpredictable and the ability to swim difficult, making life jackets essential, especially for people who do not know how to swim or have limited swimming ability. This includes Grapevine Lake, a place I know most in our community know and enjoy. Over the past 3 years, 21 people have drowned in Grapevine Lake; none of these victims were wearing life jackets. Life jackets save lives, but many who enter or swim in Lake Grapevine do not own one. The city of Grapevine recognized this, and in 2017 established the Loan-A-Life Jacket Program. This excellent idea has most likely prevented many possible drownings. In fact, the results speak for themselves: 10 people drowned in 2017, but since the program was fully implemented, that number has approximately been halved each year.
Why the money is needed:
Unfortunately, many life jackets go missing over the course of the summer. As the Loan-A-Life Jacket Program is only funded through donations, resources are limited to replace these life jackets. That is why I am asking YOU, this great community, to donate to this amazing cause. There are 130 life jackets altogether between the 5 stations, and each one costs $14. During a given summer, 60 of these go missing which leaves many potential users with limited accessibility to life jackets and at greater risk of drowning. My goal is to raise $5000 which should be enough to fund the program for at least the next five years.
We have already had enough tragedy and turmoil in 2020 battling through the Covid-19 Pandemic. As summer begins, and more people head to the lake than ever, you can do your part to help save lives.
Thank you for reading and please consider a donation.
Organizer and beneficiary
Rohan Rumalla
Organizer
Southlake, TX
Smita Rumalla
Beneficiary
