ALLEGAN, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – With 38 drownings recorded for Lake Michigan in 2023, the West Michigan Lakeshore Association of Realtors and Allegan County Community Foundation have formed a new partnership to continue a life jacket safety program for area children and families along the lakeshore.
The “Save A Life – Donate A Life Jacket” program started in 2021. The objective is to provide life jackets to West Michigan children in coordination with the sheriff’s departments in Allegan, Ottawa, and Muskegon counties whose officers distribute the life jackets to those most in need.
In their first year they donated 500 life jackets, over 700 in 2022, and 850 last year, with sizes from infant to adult for older children.
(courtesy Allegan County Community Foundation)
Local realtor Wendy Ryder of Coldwell Banker Woodland Schmidt started the project and continues to lead the effort, she says with goal to help prevent the second leading cause of death among young children in our area.
Donated life jackets, or funds to purchase life jackets wholesale from a local business, will be accepted through May 23, 2024.
Tax-deductible donations can be made online at alleganfoundation.org/donate and searching for the West Michigan Lakeshore Association of Realtors Fund. You can also bring a newly purchased US Coast Guard approved life jacket(s) to one of many donation sites along the lakeshore.
To find the nearest project drop-off location, contact Wendy Ryder at wendy@wesellwestmihomes.com or (616)218-2159.
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