Swimming and the water are a vital part of our family. Jaime grew up swimming and ultimately participated at an international level in Modern Pentathlon (one of the sports being swimming). I (Vickie) grew up taking swim lessons at the YWCA, water skiing, and lifeguarding. Jaime and I met lifeguarding at Trinity University. Naturally, as we had children we began spending time with them in the water. 

Our relationship with swimming and water was deeply impacted on a beautfiul summer day in June of 2008. Jaime was swimming laps at the pool and the kids and I were arriving to join him for some family swimming time. That was the day Colin drowned. Jaime was part of the resuscitation efforts. Colin's death was shocking, as he drowned that day in a lifeguarded pool surrounded by people. 

Jaime and I are passionate about supporting the work of Colin's Hope- the work to preventing drowning. Jaime is a member of the board, and as many of you know has swum hundreds of miles over the years to raise money for Colin's Hope. 

Your donation to Colin's Hope will go towards swim lessons for children and raising awareness to prevent drowning. We can all help raise awareness by ensuring that when children are swimming, a "water guardian" is actively monitoring the children. In open bodies of water, children should wear life jackets. Backyard pools should have fencing or other systems to ensure children cannot wander into the pool area unattended. Please donate and please spread the message! No parent should experience the pain of losing a child to drowning.