|
The Rotary Club of Anthem respectfully request a District Grant of $650.00 to purchase materials for the Josh the Otter Water Safety Program. Hunter Merrill is the President of the Rotary Club of Anthem 2018-2019, and Krista Solomon prepared this District Grant application for review
Project Established: The Rotary Club of Anthem embraced the Josh the Otter Water Safety Program five years ago when long time Rotarian Bonnie Markham brought it back from the Rotary International Convention. Aware of the high rate of children drowning in Arizona, she knew it would help reverse that trend. Through a fun and memorable approach, children in daycare, preschools and kindergarten classrooms in the Anthem area have learned the message to stay away from the water unless being watched by an adult and learning to float like Josh the Baby Otter.
Arizona year to date statistics: January 1, 2018 - June 25, 2018
22 deaths, including 7 Peds, 0 Children, 0 Teens and 15 Adults, have resulted from 61 Water Related Incidents this year. www.childrensafetyzone.com
For the past six year, Mrs. Markham has provided leadership along with her fellow Anthem Rotarians with this important Josh the Otter project to provide education to pre-school aged children. At random elementary school(s) and daycare(s)are selected for this 20-30 minute presentation. This project will provide 640 or more students water safety education annually and/or with the budget funded by the Rotary Club of Anthem and District Match.
In coordination with the Deer Valley elementary school staff, a team of two Rotarians attends to the appropriate classes with their interactive approach involving teachers and parents so that the material taught is reinforced regularly to the children. The program materials also enhance child literacy since each child receive a Josh the Otter book, CD, coloring book and Josh the Otter Sticker to wear. The classes vary in size from 20 to 80 children totaling 150 to 175 students per school. The children repeat a pledge that states they will not go near the water without an adult; they are given materials to take home; and many want to teach younger children what they have learned and to have read the story to them again. Teachers are also encouraged to reinforce the important messages and teach the Josh the Otter Song.
NOTE: Josh the Otter Water Safety Program materials will be purchased upon receipt of the District Grant funds. In order to maximize program effectiveness, presentations at the schools are schedule in mid-spring to coincide with the opening of the swimming season. The District Grant Final Report will be submitted by the March 31, 2019 deadline; however, the program presentations may not be completed until late May 2019.
Budget - 650 Josh the Otter books, CDs, and coloring books @ $3.75 each: $2,437.50
(Purchased from the Joshua Collingsworth Memorial Foundation
P.O. Box 21712 Lincoln, NE 68542)
650 Rotary labels: $ 200
TOTAL: $2,637.50
The total budget for the project is $2,637.50. The district grant will provide $650.00 to the projects budget, matching the $2000.00 from the Rotary Club of Anthem's 2018-2019 budget.
Benefits - The primary beneficiaries of this children's health program are the local Anthem area children ages 3-5 who will receive education and instruction through the Josh the Otter Program in order to make the child aware of water safety. NO CHILD THAT PARTICIPATED IN THE ROTARY CLUB OF ANTHEM PROGRAM HAS BEEN A VICTIM OF DROWNING TO DATE.
The Rotary Club of Anthem will release and post appropriate print, electronic and social media information on the District Grant award. In addition to explaining the details of the grant support of the Josh the Otter Water Safety Program, the media releases provide facts about the Rotary Club of Anthem, Rotary International and Rotary Foundation's charity rating that is the result of its funding model and financial oversight. The intent is to encourage the public to participate in Rotary events and contribute to Rotary Foundation programs and projects.
| 
