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Rotary Club: Susitna Project Title: Water Safety & Literacy 1. Describe the project. What was done, when and where did project activities take place? This project combined water safety (prevent accidental drowning) and basic literacy using the "Josh the Baby Otter" program in schools (including private and home-schools) for every kindergarten student in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough, and through creation and maintenance of "Kids Don't Float" kiosks at lakes frequented by children. "Josh" presents a fun water safety message (don't go near the water without an adult) and includes a read-along book about a baby otter learning to be safe in the water. The KDF kiosks offer loaner life jackets sized for kids. Both programs are shown to be effective in reducing accidental drowning. New this year, we added an intervention for children aged 1 - 3 years, called "Float for life" which trains very young children quickly how to roll over and float on their backs if they fall into water. It also is proven effective. 2. How many people benefited from this project? Josh: 1,556 kids, F4L: 137 kids, KDF: estimate 500 3. Who were the beneficiaries, how were they impacted by this project, and what humanitarian need was met? The project helps young children and their families. Alaska has one of the highest child death-by-drowning rates in the nation and each tragedy ripples through families and communities. The Josh program fits perfectly into school curricula, so the MSB schools also benefit. Our cooperating partners also benefit as Susitna Rotary has gained a popularity to champion water safety which makes our partners' efforts even more successful. 4. How many Rotarians participated in the project? Josh: 60, F4L: 19, KDF: 9 5. What did they do? Please give at least two examples, not including financial support provided to the project. Rotarians (and non-Rotarian volunteers) presented a 30-45 minutes multimedia class in schools. This involved reading a story, rehearsing simple rules, a fun song and dance, and then handing out books, stickers, a CD with the story, and other reinforcing tokens. The kids then get a visit from "Josh" in full otter costume so they can hug, high-five or even dance with Josh. This happens in April-May, just before the summer break. At other times in the year, Josh makes public appearances and hands our books and other items (State Fair, parades, company picnics, etc) We hold weekend trainings in area pools with the Office of Boating Safety to help kids learn to wear life jackets properly, and how to react to a boat upset. The KDF kiosks are installed at area lakes in common areas, and stocked by Rotarians when the ice breaks up. New this year, we introduced Float for Life (F4L) which involved certifying ten new F4L instructors while training 137 kids (1-3 years) how to float when they are unexpectedly in the water. This training occurred June 25-28, 2018) 6. If a cooperating organization was involved, what was its role? Rotarians from the four area Rotary clubs join together to make the project a success in April-May. We collaborate with the Alaska Office of Boating Safety in the KDF program, and with the US Coast Guard. We offer the "Josh" program in cooperation with the Joshua Collingsworth Memorial Foundation. Obviously, we cooperate with each elementary school, both public and private, and with the swimming pool operators in Palmer and Wasilla (public and private). NOTE: we receive some life jackets from the Alaska OBS at no cost. These items are listed under "other funding" at our best estimate of value. 7. Income
8. Expenditures
District must retain receipts of all expenditures for at least five years. Please scan and upload to the project's "Documents" tab all invoices (be sure they are marked "paid"), receipts and/or copies of checks for the full amount of the project budget. By signing this report, I confirm that to the best of my knowledge these District Grant funds were spent only for eligible items in accordance with Trustee-approved guidelines, and that all of the information contained herein is true and accurate. I also understand that all photographs submitted in connection with this report will become the property of RI and will not be returned. I warrant that I own all rights in the photographs, including copyright, and herby grant RI and TRF a royalty free irrevocable license to use the photographs now or at any time in the future, throughout the world in any manner it so chooses and in any medium now known or later developed. This includes the right to modify the photograph(s) as necessary in RI's sole discretion. This also includes, without limitation, use on or in the web site, magazines, brochures, pamphlets, exhibitions and any other promotional materials of RI and TRF.
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