Drowning is the leading cause of accidental death among children ages 1 to 4. Did you know that in New Jersey, we lose an average of 10 children to drowning each year? Swimming lessons are essential to the safety of children, especially in under-resourced communities. Many agencies around the state have risen to the occasion by providing swim instruction for little or no cost to children, but….
Access to swim lessons requires a proper bathing suit. For many families, this has been one of the major stumbling blocks to access these lessons.
Join the Effort!
Our campaign begins each year in May at NJ-based aquatic facilities, swim
schools, competitive swim venues, recreation departments, and waterparks. NEW Bathing suits and goggles collected will be distributed through facilities recognized by both NJRPA and NJSSA for their commitment to drowning prevention education.
Get Creative!
Sponsor a Bathing Suit and Goggles Drive at your facility. Be creative. Offer a special day, special pricing, or a unique approach to promoting this drive. Perhaps a Guest Pass for every bathing suit and google donation? Perhaps, entry into a raffle for a season pass for each bathing suit and goggle donated? Or, just for an act of kindness for the benefit of NJ’s kids! The motivators are left up to you! No aquatic venue, no problem. Collect at your concerts, movies, and camps!
Get Others to Help!
Find your local social service agency or charitable organization to help collect suits. Solicit participation through your social media and emails. Get your friends and families to contribute. Scouts, Junior Leagues, and PTOs, among others, will embrace the campaign for sure.
Register today to be a part of this campaign.
History of the Garden State Bathing Suit and Goggle Drive
Web Design & Development by Evans Alliance
David is the Founder and President of National Safety Training Center and its predecessor companies – Elite Tactical Academy and Mine Brook Search & Rescue, Inc. He is a seasoned business leader and public safety education expert. He currently focuses on running this large training center and keeps active teaching both provider level classes and many instructor level classes.
He holds numerous certifications including:
David has previously worked as a Red Cross employee in 2 roles:
David lives in the Martinsville section of Bridgewater NJ with his family who are also active in the Public Safety Training / Medical training business. He is a local volunteer Firefighter / EMT, something he has been doing since 1984! David also serves as a volunteer in the US Coast Guard on a specialized deployable communications team.
Jon Siegel is the Head Age Group Coach at Cougar Aquatic Team in Montclair NJ and currently the Senior Coaches Rep for NJ Swimming LSC. Prior to that Jon served as Senior Director of Competitive Aquatics at the Madison Area YMCA (MAY). During his tenureat MAY he helped design and oversee the construction of their new FM Kirby Aquatic Center, directed outdoor programming during the pandemic and acted as Senior Aquatic Director to bring the aquatic department back online. Over his coaching career, which has spanned 30+ years, Jon spent nine-and-a-half-years with the Montclair YMCA Dolphins as their Director of Competitive Aquatics, eight years as Head Coach at the Madison Area YMCA, three years at the West Essex YMCA, and a year as an Assistant Coach at the Summit Y. In addition, he has coached the Livingston Aquajets, Berkeley Heights Streamliners, Minisink Manta Rays and Morristown Beard High School. Jon is an ASCA Level 5 Swim Coach and was selected as the Head Coach of the NJ Swimming All Star Zone Team in 1999, 2002, 2005 and 2008, and as an assistant coach at Zones in 2000, 2003 and 2023. Jon also coached USA Swimming’s Eastern Zone Select Camp in 2006. Jon’s swimmers have competed in all levels of swim competition including Olympic Trials and an alumni to the Olympics. In addition to coaching, Jon has years of service to various swim boards and committees which include working on the New Jersey YMCA Swim League Executive Committee, New Jersey Swimming Board of Directors, and on the USA Swimming National Communications Committee and the National Camps Committee. John looks forward to bringing his extensive swim knowledge and experience to the Nj Swim Safety Alliance.
