Comfort Keepers Ministry Inc. (CKM) is kicking off a number of projects beginning with the return of their Cool Summers project and the Safety Swim Day (SSD) event.
According to Lauren Siebert, president of CKM, the SSD slated for June 10, is an event designed to teach the basics of swimming to young children and to provide them with a new life jacket following their lesson.
“Staci McHenry is our instructor and has been since the project’s inception. This year the Cherokee Village Townhouse Board has graciously agreed to let us use their pool for a day to teach these children. Staci teaches them how to float on their back which is really the best prevention if you tire out or panic while in the water. If you can do nothing else, you can float on your back and rest until help comes or you’re able to begin to move again,” Siebert said. “We have so many bodies of water in the area, and it is so easy for something to happen in the blink of an eye. This is something we can do to help prevent a tragedy.”
Siebert said there are still about 15 spots available for the Safety Swim Day event and registration is required.
“There isn’t a cost for the event, but I have to have waivers filled out by parents or guardians which they can do the morning of if they come before their lesson. I need the name, age and weight of the child because life vests are issued by weight and not necessarily by size,” Siebert said. “I will also say, if there is an adult out there who may be afraid of water because they don’t know what to do in it, please reach out. We have taught adults before, and we will help you learn.”
Siebert said the organization formed in 2014, remaining under the umbrella of Highland Assembly of God until 2020 when the organization became its own 501-c3-nonprofit.
“We have done a lot of projects over the years and this year, we have already executed a number of projects including heaters and firewood earlier in the season, the Growing Hope project to provide vegetable plants to families, we’re gearing up for our Safety Swim Day set for June 10 and the Cool Summers project, where fans are provided as we’re able is returning.”
The board members are Pamela Rowland, Jessie Friend, Laura Smith, Shaylynn Lane, Susan Jett, Cham Buchanan, Hazelle Whited and Kasey Carter.
For several years, the fan project was a staple for the ministry, however; like many of the CKM projects, the goal is to find long term solutions to short term problems.
“Through partnerships, we are able to make these projects become realities. As needs change, we try to meet those needs, but cannot do it without the help of the community. The needs we continue to see are the need for children to learn how to swim, and a way provide relief from extreme temperatures.” Siebert said. “We have allocated some funds to purchase about 25 fans this year to give out. The hope is to help more specifically the elderly or those with young children to prevent heat exhaustion or heat stroke.”
Siebert said donations for any of the ministry’s projects are welcome, and she would like to thank the community for their continued support.
If you have need of a fan or would like your child to participate in the Safety Swim Day please contact Lauren Siebert by phone or text at 870-373-1233.
Lauren is a an award-winning journalist who decided after 10 years of newspaper experience to venture out. Hallmark Times was born.
