(Le Mars) — Willow Creek and the Le Mars Municipal Park swimming area has just been made a bit safer, thanks to the Unity Point/St. Lukes Health Center and the Children’s Miracle Network. A total of 50 life preserver vests have been donated to the city for anybody to use while swimming or fishing. A
small ceremony was held Thursday morning at the Le Mars Municipal Park.
Amanda Monroe-Rubendall is the Trauma Prevention Coordinator with Unity Point St. Lukes of Sioux City. She says drownings rank among the highest percentage of deaths with children and teenagers. But she adds the life preserver vests are for everyone to use.
The donated life jackets range in sizes to accommodate everyone from infants, to young children, teens, and adults. Monroe-Rubendall says Unity Point/St. Lukes has made similar donations in the past to other regional swimming areas, including Hillview Recreation Area near Hinton and Brown’s Lake near Salix.
Today’s donation has been funded by grants through the Children’s Miracle Network as part of the pediatric program, but Monroe-Rubndall says it is the goal of Unity Point/St. Lukes to prevent all trauma related injuries.
Stacie Selk is the regional director with the Children’s Miracle Network, and explains the purpose of the organization.
The donated life preserver vests are free to use. Officials only ask that you return the vest back to the rack so others can also enjoy using them.
