Learn To Swim, Save a Life Gala to Raise Awareness of Child Drowning Prevention
Swim for Jenny Memorial Fund Donors Join Drowning Prevention Advocates at the Deering Estate at Cutler, April 11, 6:30 p.m.
The Parks Foundation of Miami-Dade will host the 2nd Annual Swim for Jenny Cocktail Reception to raise awareness of the importance of child drowning prevention, Thursday, April 11, from 6:30 - 9:30 p.m., at the Deering Estate at Cutler, 16701 SW 72nd Avenue in Miami.
The family-friendly reception will pay tribute to Jenny Hong Nguyen, a 12-year old South Florida girl who suffered a drowning accident on April 16, 2011 after she went into water too deep for her limited swimming ability. Jenny's death prompted the creation of the Foundation's Swim for Jenny Memorial Fund which provides water safety information and learn-to-swim scholarships to children.
The event will feature cocktails and hors d'oeuvres, silent auction, donor recognition, entertainment and dancing. Zoo Miami's Ron Magill will serve as Master of Ceremonies. The event will also feature a special award presentation to NFL Hall of Famer Larry Little, presented by Parks Foundation Board Member Tim Hardaway, as well as other notable donors including Assurant, AvMed Health Plans, Miami-Dade County Commissioner Barbara Jordan, and Miami-Dade County Chairwoman Rebeca Sosa.
The Swim for Jenny Cocktail Reception is sponsored by Bulk Transport, Soil Tech, Equipco, Manchester Terminal, Waste Management, iTransport, Minority Mobile Systems, The Continental Group, Tyre's Auto Service, and others. Tickets are $50 adults, $25 children under 13, and can be purchased at the Swim for Jenny website at www.swimforjenny.org.
Last year, nearly 500 children received scholarships for learn-to-swim lessons at Miami-Dade Park pools, thanks to the Swim for Jenny Memorial Fund and its generous donors. Nationally, drowning is the second-leading cause of injury-related death among children ages one to 14. Florida has the second-highest number of drowning incidents in the U.S. and Miami-Dade County leads the state in drowning deaths with an average of 45 a year.
A donation of $30 sponsors one* child, a donation of $150 sponsors five* children, and a donation of $300 sponsors up to 10* children (*number of swim lessons based on Miami-Dade County pool fees). All donations are tax deductible as allowable by law. Donation opportunities: Swim for Jenny Supporters (up to $499); Swim for Jenny Champions ($500-$999); Swim for Jenny Buddy ($1,000); Coach ($2,500); and Lifeguard (starting at $5,000).
For more information or to make a donation, please visit the website at www.swimforjenny.org.
Save a life, teach a child to swim, keep Jenny's memory alive.
About The Parks Foundation of Miami-Dade
The Parks Foundation of Miami-Dade is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization that supports the Miami-Dade Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department's effort to further develop Miami-Dade County's world-class parks system for residents and visitors. Its mission is to create a healthier, more livable and sustainable Miami community by ensuring the implementation of the Parks Open Space Master Plan and the development of year-round park and recreation programs for local children, adults and people with disabilities.
About the Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department:
Nationally accredited, a three-time winner of the NRPA National Gold Medal Award and winner of the 2009 Florida Governor's Sterling Award for excellence in management and operations, Miami-Dade County Parks is the third largest county park system in the United States, consisting of 260 parks and 12,825 acres of land. It is one of the most unique park and recreation systems in the world. Made up of more than just playgrounds and athletic fields, it also comprises out-of-school, sports-development, and summer-camp programs; programs for seniors and people with disabilities; educational nature centers and nature preserves; environmental restoration efforts; arts and culture programs and events; the renowned Zoo Miami and the Deering Estate at Cutler; the Crandon Tennis Center, home of the Sony Open; golf courses; beaches; marinas; campgrounds; pools; and more. For information about Miami-Dade County Parks call 3-1-1, or visit www.miamidade.gov/parks/.