WMLAR’s CAI Committee: A Four-Year Commitment to Child Safety

WMLAR’s Community, Advocacy, and Impact (CAI) Committee donated over 500 Coast Guard-approved life jackets to the Sheriff Marine Divisions of Allegan, Muskegon, and Ottawa counties. These life jackets are distributed at various county and state parks along the lakeshore, accompanied by information on water safety. Signage at these locations requests that life jackets be returned after use, allowing others to benefit in the future. Occasionally, sheriffs provide life jackets to boaters who lack the correct sizes for their passengers, preventing the need for issuing tickets, although this is a rare occurrence.

This marks the fourth year of providing this essential program to these counties. In total, Allegan County alone has received over 500 life jackets during this period. The distribution of life jackets is based on the origin of the donations. For instance, contributions from individuals or businesses in Allegan County ensure that the life jackets purchased with those funds are allocated to Allegan County.

Yacht Basin Marina in Holland supports the initiative by allowing the purchase of life jackets at cost. Additionally, the Allegan Community Foundation, a 501(c)(3) has established a program enabling REALTORS® and the public to make on-going tax-deductible donations towards this cause throughout the year.