GREAT LAKES, USA – The Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project (GLSRP) announces that the National Drowning Prevention Alliance "Lifesaver of the Year" award winners, John and Kathy Kocher, will be hosting 32 Lake Michigan Water Safety school presentations this week.
The presentations will commence Monday, May 8, 8:00 a.m. at Richards High School, 10601 S. Central Avenue, Oak Lawn (additional classes listed below). These presentations come as the beaches begin to prepare for summer visitors and Great Lakes drownings continue to rise.
"As a society, we should all know the basics of water safety because drowning is a leading cause of accidental death in children," said Kathy Kocher. "We need to educate children, parents, and everyone about water safety and drowning prevention.
"Water safety education is very straightforward. It should be part of every school's curriculum, just like fire safety. No one wants to think this could happen, but it does. We cannot bring our son Matthew back, but we are committed to teaching others about water safety so that no one else has to experience the devastating loss we have," Kathy concluded.
On July 27, 2013, John and Kathleen Gahan Kocher lost their 15 year old son, Matthew, to a Lake Michigan rip current in New Buffalo, MI.
In addition, since John & Kathy committed to advocate water safety, they have spoken to the media on at least 23 occasions to exponentially expand the water safety message.