Guest Blog: Jilian Henderson, Public Affairs Advisor, First Aid and Water Safety
Last month we posted blogs about our National Lifejacket Day contest! In Western Canada Red Cross offices challenged each other to wear their lifejackets for the WHOLE DAY... to work, the gym, bank, out for dinner, in the community, you name it. How fun!
With Water Safety Week winding down, let's look back to see what staff and Buckles, the mascot, got up to on May 19th. In Saskatchewan staff members rode their bikes into work while wearing their lifejackets. Red Cross staff in Calgary reported getting asked if they were wearing lifejackets outside because it was raining out. Instead they were able to teach members of the public that they were wearing lifejackets to raise awareness, encourage lifejacket use and help make every boating outing this summer a return trip. Across the prairies in Winnipeg, Red Cross staff engaged politicians from all stripes, legislative staff and the Attorney-General in spreading the word about the importance of wearing a lifejacket.
Not only did staff in Western Canada join in the fun but training partners did too. Some highlights of activities include a lifejacket fashion show (even dogs were in lifejackets), school presentations in lifejackets, and engaging all pool participants in learning not only how to wear a life jacket but also doing lifejacket synchro!
We are thrilled to share the fun activities Red Cross staff and partners engaged in on National Lifejacket Day, but even more thrilled that they were able to spread the message that lifejackets save lives!