Public Awareness Campaign, May 15- June 5
May is recognized as National Water Safety Month, and the new Koch Water Wise initiative will launch Wednesday, May 15, with a public awareness campaign asking “Are You Water Wise?” This two-week campaign will coincide with the opening of public and private pools as well as the launch of the annual camping season at area lakes. The campaign will provide tangible safety tips to keep kids and adults safe around the water such as, “Assign an adult water watcher: Drowning is fast and usually silent. Assign an adult who is committed to supervising the pool area. If you must leave the pool area, take the kids with you. Most drowning victims go missing from sight for less than 5 minutes.”
Koch Water Wise Safety Day, May 25, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Before families head to the lake, host a Memorial Day pool party or visit a waterpark, they can kick off the summer with a free Koch Water Wise Safety Day at the Downtown YMCA, located at 402 N. Market. From 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 25, the Y will offer the public free basic water safety instruction. Available to children ages six and older. Contact Mim McKenzie at 316-219-9622 ext. 5558 or mim@ymcawichita.org for details and registration.
Koch Water Wise Safety Classes, June 4 – August 1
Once summer gets underway, kids ages 6-12 can continue to learn about water safety as they enjoy free Koch Water Wise Safety Classes twice a week at the Downtown YMCA. Each Tuesday and Thursday, the Y will open its downtown pool from 11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. to provide area youth with free basic water safety instruction. Contact Mim McKenzie at 316- 219-9622 ext. 5558 or mim@ymcawichita.org for details and registration.
For a complete list of water safety tips, contact Shelly Conrady at shelly@ymcawichita.org.
About Koch Industries and Greater Wichita YMCA
Based in Wichita, Kan., Koch Industries, Inc. is one of the largest private companies in America with annual revenues of about $115 billion. It owns a diverse group of companies involved in refining, chemicals and biofuels; forest and consumer products; fertilizers; polymers and fibers; process and pollution control equipment and technologies; commodity trading and services; minerals; ranching; and investments. Since 2003, Koch companies have invested about $50 billion in acquisitions and other capital expenditures. With a presence in nearly 60 countries, Koch companies employ about 60,000 people worldwide. In 2012, Koch companies employed nearly 50,000 people in the United States and paid compensation and benefits totaling more than $4 billion. From January 2009 to present, Koch companies earned more than 570 awards for safety, environmental excellence, community stewardship, innovation, and customer service.
The Greater Wichita YMCA is a non-profit organization that serves more than 270,000 kids and adults through child care, camping, urban outreach programs and healthy lifestyles activities. Nearly two out of three kids in Sedgwick and Butler Counties participate in YMCA activities and more than 70,000 participants receive free and assisted programs. Within the YMCA’s financial capabilities, no person is refused program or membership privileges because of inability to pay.