Families and community members gathered Friday at the Garden of Hope and Courage near NCH Baker Downtown Hospital for the 12th annual Twins Tot Walk Vigil. The event honored children who have died from drowning and promoted water safety awareness.
Since 2000, 58 children in Collier County have lost their lives to drowning. Last year, 105 children drowned across Florida, including three in Collier County.
The event was organized by the NCH Safe & Healthy Children’s Coalition and the Just Against Children Drowning Foundation . Paul DeMello founded the foundation in memory of his twin 13-month-old sons, Joshua and Christian, who drowned in 2010.
“I think as a dad, being on the mission that I’m on, I never want to forget my twins, and everybody came together — the agency, the hospital, friends, family — they came together to remember my twins,” DeMello said. “It’s unacceptable. One drowning is too many.”
Guest speakers included DeMello, drowning prevention experts from NCH, Naples Fire Rescue, the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, and the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary.
DeMello urges families to take precautions such as adult supervision, installing barriers around pools, and teaching yourself and your children how to swim.