Enjoying our local rivers is a big part of summer fun in the mid-Willamette Valley. But every family should take a healthy dose of safety precautions along with their outdoor adventures.

Salem Health’s Community Health Education Center is making that possible through life jacket donations. This year, the donations started in May at the Touch a Truck event.

“We fitted and gave away over 200 life jackets in the community,” said health educator Erin Clubb. “We were alongside the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Division (SAR Team) to provide life jackets and education resources to prevent drowning.”

Staying safe on the river

The city of Independence stocks and manages life jacket kiosks at recreation areas along the Willamette River, and the CHEC offered to assist with that.

“Life jackets can break down over time, and funds are limited, so Salem Health wanted to make sure that families can be safe,” said Clubb. “This is part of our mission to keep our community healthy and reduce harm.”

CHEC staff stocked the kiosks with 40 life jackets ahead of the Fourth of July weekend and are supporting the City of Independence’s efforts to keep kiosks stocked throughout the summer.

A community response to tragedy

This project was inspired by the tragic loss of 13-year-old Gregorio Maximiano-Solano, who drowned after entering the Willamette River near Riverview Park last summer.

“Statistically, drowning is the leading cause of death for children under the age of four, and open water deaths are a huge risk for children 14 and under,” said Clubb. “So, we want to make sure children are safe with Coast Guard-approved life jackets.”

The health educator said this is a time to empower the community with the right education and tools.

“I want people in our community be active and enjoy the outdoors,” said Clubb. “It’s special that we’re able to make people feel safe while doing that. This can reduce barriers for people who might not otherwise explore our local water.”

Learn more

Interested in finding a life jacket kiosk this summer? Click here to learn more.