Agenda 05/13/2025 Item # 4F (Proclamation designating May 2025, as Drowning Prevention Month in Collier County)PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, Florida ranks first in the country in child drowning incidents, with enough children
drowning each year to fill three to four preschool classrooms, while in Collier County,
drowning is the leading external cause of death for children ages 1 to 4; and
WHEREAS, the NCH Safe & Healthy Children Coalition of Collier County, a group of over 70 local
agencies working to improve health outcomes and prevent childhood injury, is committed
to reversing these disturbing trends; and
WHEREAS, the NCH Safe & Healthy Children Coalition has implemented a comprehensive drowning
prevention program based on research by the National Drowning Prevention Alliance,
recognizing that multiple layers of protection, including barriers, swim instruction, proper
rescue techniques, and CPR training, are necessary; and
WHEREAS, as one aspect of the program, in March 2012, the Coalition began offering SWIM Central,
a water safety course, and has since taught more than 97,680 lessons to nearly 12,561
children; and
WHEREAS, in February 2014, the Coalition launched the “Kids Don’t Float…Give Them Something
That Does” Life Jacket Loaner Program, with 15 loaner stations at lakes and beaches
throughout the county, each providing 20 life jackets in a range of sizes; and
WHEREAS, Stewie the Duck, a water safety mascot, joined the Coalition in 2016; and
WHEREAS, drowning prevention is the first step in developing a healthy relationship with the water, a
relationship that can combat physical inactivity and promote lifelong fitness;
NOW THEREFORE, be it proclaimed by the Board of County Commissioners of Collier County, Florida,
that May 2025 be designated as
DROWNING PREVENTION MONTH IN COLLIER COUNTY
DONE AND ORDERED THIS 13th Day of May 2025.
Board of County Commissioners
Collier County, Florida
Burt L. Saunders, Chairman
Page 549 of 5243
COLLIER COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
REQUEST FOR PROCLAMATION
Please complete the form below and email to Proclamations@colliercountyfl.gov along with a draft of the
proclamation (Insert language on the Draft Proclamation From linked on the same webpage as this Request
Form). Forms must be submitted a minimum of 13 days prior to the requested meeting date.
Please note: A Commissioner sponsor is required!
COMMISSIONER(S) AGREEING TO SPONSOR: ______________________________________________________
Once the Board agenda is approved by the Chair, staff will contact you to confirm receipt and presentation at an
upcoming Board of County Commissioners meeting. If you have any questions, please email
Proclamations@colliercountyfl.gov or by calling (239) 252-8075.
NAME: Theresa Hansen
ADDRESS: 1100 Immokalee Road, Naples, FL, 34110
PHONE: 239-624-4033
EMAIL: theresa.hansen@nchmd.org
DATE OF THE COMMISSION MEETING BEING REQUESTED FOR PRESENTATION: May 13, 2025
TOPIC/REASON FOR THE PROCLAMATION REQUEST: Drowning Prevention Month
DOES THIS PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZE A SPECIFIC CALENDAR DATE? Month of May _
HAS THE PROCLAMATION BEEN PRESENTED BY THE BOARD IN PREVIOUS YEARS? Yes
NAME OF THE LEAD RECIPIENT AND TITLE (IF APPLICABLE) WHO WILL BE PRESENT AND INTRODUCED AT THE
MEETING TO ACCEPT THE PROCLAMATION: (Other attendees may also participate in the receipt of the
Proclamation but will be announced by the County Manager as “distinguished guests.” Commissioners may opt to
identify others, by name, in any comments they make during or after the presentation of the Proclamation.)
LEAD RECIPIENT NAME: __Daniel White, Advisory Board Chair, NCH Safe & Healthy Children’s Coalition of
Collier County__
Note: A photograph will be taken with the County Commissioners at the meeting when the proclamation is
presented. Other persons present with the recipients may also come forward at the time of the photograph.
Would you like a copy of this photograph sent (circle one): Via email / Via U.S. Mail
Per your delivery selection, please provide a name and email address or physical mailing address if different than
already provided on the form above:
FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY:
DATE FORM RECEIVED: RECEIVED BY:
ACCEPTED: DENIED: REASON FOR DENIAL:
APPLICANT NOTIFIED ON (DATE): VIA TELEPHONE / EMAIL / US MAIL
BY: (SIGNATURE)REVISED 2/2023
Page 550 of 5243
Page 551 of 5243