Drowning is the leading cause of accidental death among children ages 1 to 4. Did you know that in New Jersey, we lose an average of 10 children to drowning each year? Swimming lessons are essential to the safety of children, especially in under-resourced communities. Many agencies around the state have risen to the occasion by providing swim instruction for little or no cost to children, but….
Access to swim lessons requires a proper bathing suit. For many families, this has been one of the major stumbling blocks to access these lessons.
Join the Effort!
Our campaign begins each year in May at NJ-based aquatic facilities, swim
schools, competitive swim venues, recreation departments, and waterparks. NEW Bathing suits and goggles collected will be distributed through facilities recognized by both NJRPA and NJSSA for their commitment to drowning prevention education.
Get Creative!
Sponsor a Bathing Suit and Goggles Drive at your facility. Be creative. Offer a special day, special pricing, or a unique approach to promoting this drive. Perhaps a Guest Pass for every bathing suit and google donation? Perhaps, entry into a raffle for a season pass for each bathing suit and goggle donated? Or, just for an act of kindness for the benefit of NJ’s kids! The motivators are left up to you! No aquatic venue, no problem. Collect at your concerts, movies, and camps!
Get Others to Help!
Find your local social service agency or charitable organization to help collect suits. Solicit participation through your social media and emails. Get your friends and families to contribute. Scouts, Junior Leagues, and PTOs, among others, will embrace the campaign for sure.
Register today to be a part of this campaign.
History of the Garden State Bathing Suit and Goggle Drive
Web Design & Development by Evans Alliance
David is the Founder and President of National Safety Training Center and its predecessor companies – Elite Tactical Academy and Mine Brook Search & Rescue, Inc. He is a seasoned business leader and public safety education expert. He currently focuses on running this large training center and keeps active teaching both provider level classes and many instructor level classes.
He holds numerous certifications including:
David has previously worked as a Red Cross employee in 2 roles:
David lives in the Martinsville section of Bridgewater NJ with his family who are also active in the Public Safety Training / Medical training business. He is a local volunteer Firefighter / EMT, something he has been doing since 1984! David also serves as a volunteer in the US Coast Guard on a specialized deployable communications team.
Dr. Angela K. Beale is an Associate Professor, and Program Coordinator of the Health/Physical Education, Teacher Education (HPETE) Program, in the Department of Content Area Teacher Education (CATE), in the College of Education, at Rowan University. Dr. Beale Tawfeeq’s belief as an educator and researcher are grounded in her mission of “building bridges to break down barriers” in communities, a trend that was established during her developmental years, via personal, educational, and physical activity experiences. Dr. Beale Tawfeeq specializes in youth development through aquatic physical activity, curriculum development in health and physical education, and water safety and drowning prevention education in K-12 schools, and community-based organizations. Her recent professional include co-authoring of the most recent National Health Education Standards for the Society of Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE America, 2024), a contributor and expert reviewer to the United States National Water Safety Action Plan (2024). She currently serves as a board member and director of education and research for Diversity In Aquatics (DIA), a non-profit 501 4c organization, whose mission is to educate, promote, and support water safety and healthy aquatic activities for vulnerable populations, member of American Red Cross, Scientific Advisory Council, Aquatic Sub Council; board member of the Habitheque Blue and Green Fund, which was formed to promote and further societal awareness of emerging technologies and techniques for water conservation, ecosystem restoration and renewable energy, while also providing a vision for scaling these advancements for global impact.
