Join us as we escape into Colin's Hope! 🎙️
We’re excited to welcome Jennifer Poteat, Executive Director for Colin's Hope, to the conversation!
Colin’s Hope was formed in 2008 after four-year-old Colin Holst tragically drowned in a public pool, with lifeguards on duty and family members present. Their mission is to provide water safety awareness, education, and resources to prevent children from drowning. Drowning is the #1 cause of death for children ages 1–4 and a leading cause for ages 1–14. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, for each fatal drowning incident, seven more children receive emergency care for submersion injuries. While no one is drown-proof, drowning is preventable.
How to Get Involved & Earn Some Good Bragging Rights:
Learn. Visit colinshope.org and read their water safety tips. A few that stuck with me:
– Put kids in bright bathing suits so they’re easier to spot in the water
– Skip the arm floaties—go for Coast Guard-approved life jackets
– If your house suddenly feels quiet, check the pool first
– And always assign an adult Water Watcher anytime kids are swimming
Donate. Your donation helps fund water safety kits, educational programs—and yes, children’s swim lessons. Helping a child learn to swim could be the difference between life and tragedy. Plus, Colin’s Hope has a van with Colin’s image on it that’s logged over 179,000 miles spreading awareness across Texas. Let’s keep that mission—and that van—moving forward. https://www.colinshope.org/get-involved/donate-2/
Volunteer. Whether it’s stuffing water safety kits or helping at events, there are lots of hands-on ways to get involved. https://www.colinshope.org/get-involved/volunteer/
Join a Swimraiser. Raise funds while spreading awareness by dedicating your next swim, lap, or water-based challenge to a cause that saves lives. You can also become an Athlete Ambassador. https://www.colinshope.org/get-involved/ambassadors/
Also, there are fun, engaging ways to integrate water safety with your kids this summer. If you have children, grandchildren, nieces, or nephews spending time near water, check out the free Colin & Friends water safety lessons at drowningispreventable.org. Colin’s Hope has made it easy to turn lifesaving tips into kid-friendly, interactive learning.
How to Do Some Good in Austin & Get Rewarded 🏒 + 🎟️ = 💚
Sign up for updates on causes you care about or share your #GoodBrag showing how you’ve volunteered or donated—then DM us for a chance to win Texas Stars tickets!
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Thank you Nightlight Insurance Agency for making this podcast possible and your donation to Yellow Bike. A big thanks to Todd Thompson for editing & mixing, Ashlynne O'Neal for content management, Graham Thompson and Jaden Dyer for the music, and Cory McKane at Just Push Record Studios.
