News
Beebe Medical Center Supports YMCA Water Safety Effort
05/04/07
For the second year in a row, Beebe Medical Center is proud to have been the presenting sponsor of a free, water safety program that helped prepare 300 children and their families for this year's summer season.
The Sussex Family YMCA in Rehoboth Beach, in recognition of Water Safety Week, gave water safety and beginning and intermediate swim lessons to children between the ages of 3 and 13 from throughout Sussex County. The goal of the swimming program was the prevention of accidents so that children can enjoy swimming, boating and other water activities without getting hurt. The children also learned various rescue techniques, as well as what to do if a raft they are in overturns. The instructors were staff members from the Sussex and Dover YMCAs, as well as many volunteers from the Sussex YMCA membership.
The YMCA worked with First State Community Action Agency to find children to take part who might not have had the opportunity to learn how to swim. Local school districts also distributed information on the lessons.
"I am absolutely certain that we have taught skills which will save lives," said Terry Rasberry, Executive Director of Sussex Family YMCA. "We greatly appreciate those who have supported us in this important program."
Dr. Thomas Shreeve, President of Sussex Emergency Associates and a member of the Beebe Medical Staff, said, "We applaud the YMCA for taking the initiative for this community outreach educational program. It is so important to teach children to swim at a young age and to respect our coastal waters and its dangers."
"The YMCA has created an important water safety program for our community and we are proud to proud to be a part of it," said Jeffrey M. Fried, President and CEO of Beebe Medical Center. "We see patients who have suffered serious accidents around the water every summer season and we want to do whatever we can to prevent those accidents."
Other sponsors of the program were: Klabe Customs Homes, Sussex Emergency Associates, The Cape Gazette, and Judson Bennett.
Caption: From left to right, Jeffrey M. Fried, President and CEO of Beebe Medical Center; Terry Rasberry, Executive Director of Sussex Family YMCA; and Dr. Thomas Shreeve, President of Sussex Emergency Associates and a member of the Beebe Medical Staff.
Beebe Medical Center is a not-for-profit community medical center with a mission to encourage healthy living, prevent illness, and restore optimal health with the people residing, working, or visiting in the communities we serve. For more information, please visit us online at www.beebemed.org
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