FLOAT 4 LIFE and the Joshua Collingsworth Memorial Foundation have committed to making an impact on what has become an epidemic in the United States. Infant and toddler drowning accidents and deaths. All parents spend many hours repeating to their children the warnings of safety. "Stay away from that stove it's HOT, look both ways before crossing the street or while in a parking lot, hold the handrail when learning to walk up and down stairs." The list seems endless but there is ONE all important phrase we too often omit, which may be the most important and deadly one of all. "STAY AWAY FROM WATER UNLESS YOU ARE WITH AN ADULT." We as adults know the dangers of water to our little vulnerable children, we just think we will always be with them when they are around water. Kathy and I had to learn this exception in the most horrible of ways and are now determined to inform as many people as possible about this education of children. It is not just the words but the impression we can make on those children. Recently we have completed a new children's book called "Josh the Baby Otter". The book is filled with cute illustrations of otters and tells the story of a young otter named Josh who learns to float before learning to swim. The story also tells about the importance of never going around water alone. A wonderful sing along song entitled "Learn to Float" has been written for the book and is included in the back. We have also had a cuddly "Josh the Otter" mascot made to visit children while the book is being read at story times in schools and daycares. We hope such a fun filled attention grabbing education to the young children of Nebraska and beyond can bring awareness to those most precious children of ours.

Through Joshua's Foundation we are proud to have been an intricate part in bringing new infant and toddler water training classes to the city of Lincoln. Through a grant to the Lincoln YMCA's from the Joshua Collingsworth Memorial Foundation. Classes have begun and as of the first part of February, some classes are full and they are signing kids up for future classes. We are also working to bring these classes to the Grand Island YMCA. Discussions have even begun with individuals from places like Des Moines and as far away as Panama City Beach, Florida who have heard of the book and the classes. These people wish to help bring these classes and child educational tools to their areas in order to protect their children as well. Words are such a cheap commodity and when they can be used in such a important way as in the safety of our children, shouldn't we all do our best to spread those words?

Thank you for the time you have taken to hear this story from the top of our soap box. If you need to find us we will be up here until we are certain Joshua has earned his WINGS!

Thank you,
Blake Collingsworth
(Josh's Dad Forever)

Please contact us through the Joshua Collingsworth Memorial Foundation.