Drowning Prevention Program

JACKSONVILLE — The City of Jacksonville, East Texas Medical Center EMS, and Jacksonville’s Central Baptist Church have teamed up to bring a drowning prevention program to Lake Jacksonville. The name of the program, set for Friday at noon, is Kids Don’t Float. Life jackets and vests will be available at the concession stand at Lake Jacksonville for children to use free of charge. People can borrow these items for their children while swimming and return them before they leave so that they can be available for other children.

City officials say every year, children drown at area lakes due to lack of adequate flotation devices. The city is asking cooperation from the community to help preserve the board and the vests so that they are always available to save a life. The board is the sign with “Kids Don’t Float,” plus some more verbiage, and pegs where the vests hang. The city is also asking residents to donate a life jacket or vest that any of their children has outgrown. If you would like to help maintain the project’s mission by donating a life jacket or vest, you can call the City of Jacksonville Parks and Recreation Department at 903-586-5977 or 903-589-3510.