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Meet The Awesome Leaders

Paul Demello

Paul DeMello was awarded the 2015 Joshua Collingsworth Memorial Foundation Water Safety Advocacy Award. Paul has been a wonderful supporter of the foundation and amazing water safety partner who founded the family foundation Just Against Children Drowning (JACD). JACD was incorporated on April 2nd, 2010 after the tragic drowning of Paul’s 12-month-old twins Joshua and Christian DeMello.

Paul’s hope through JACD is that through spreading awareness and being able to financially help when needed, they can help prevent similar events from happening. Paul strongly believes and recommends that every home with a pool needs to have a baby barrier (even if you don’t have children yourself) along with the proper supervision at all times.
Paul Demello
Paul also promotes swimming lessons at a very young age and CPR knowledge as a last resort just in case of an emergency situation. JACD partners with the DCF fence company to provide pool fences for families that do not have one installed. Paul resides in Port Charlotte, FL.
Cheryll Peterson-Brachle

Cheryll
Peterson-Brachle

Cheryll Peterson-Brachle was awarded the 2015 Joshua Collingsworth Memorial Foundation Float 4 Life Educator Award. Cheryll was chosen for her outstanding efforts spearheading the Float 4 Life and Josh the Otter programs with the City of Omaha Parks and Recreation Dept in collaborating with JCMF and Children’s Hospital and Medical Center.

Here is a recap of the 2014 Program Achievements:

  • The Josh the Otter Water Safety Program
  • 1,263 children participated in the Josh the Otter readings
  • Josh went to the City’s Spring into Summer Event and made 36 visits to City of Omaha Pools
  • Story books with CD’s and coloring books were handed out to all interested participants
  • Float 4 Life
  • 1,263 children participated in the Josh the Otter readings
  • Josh went to the City’s Spring into Summer Event and made 36 visits to City of Omaha Pools
  • Story books with CD’s and coloring books were handed out to all interested participants
Otter swimming half body
sea urching no bg
clams-sect2

Paige Swenson

Paige Swenson was awarded the 2015 Joshua Collingsworth Memorial Foundation Volunteer of the Year Award for her incredible service and commitment to the foundation’s water safety efforts. She has volunteered countless hours to ensure that children and families are able to hear the life-saving message of Josh the Otter.
Paige Swenson

Mary Ann Downing

Mary Ann Downing was awarded the 2014 Joshua Collingsworth Memorial Foundation Water Safety Advocacy Award. Mary has been a wonderful supporter of the foundation and amazing water safety advocate across the country. She is known as the “Pool Safety Mom” and on the Board of Directors for the National Drowning Prevention Alliance. She resides in San Diego, CA.

Ashley Spitsnogle

Ashley Spitsnogle was awarded the 2014 Joshua Collingsworth Memorial Foundation Volunteer of the Year Award for her incredible service and commitment to the foundation’s water safety efforts. She has volunteered countless hours as the Josh the Otter mascot to help spread the life-saving message of Josh the Otter. Ashley Spitsnogle is the Art Director for JCMF and is the illustrated for the “Josh the Baby Otter” book.
Kathy Appel

Katy Appell

Ashley Spitsnogle was awarded the 2014 Joshua Collingsworth Memorial Foundation Volunteer of the Year Award for her incredible service and commitment to the foundation’s water safety efforts. She has volunteered countless hours as the Josh the Otter mascot to help spread the life-saving message of Josh the Otter. Ashley Spitsnogle is the Art Director for JCMF and is the illustrated for the “Josh the Baby Otter” book.

Mario Vittone

Ashley Spitsnogle was awarded the 2014 Joshua Collingsworth Memorial Foundation Volunteer of the Year Award for her incredible service and commitment to the foundation’s water safety efforts. She has volunteered countless hours as the Josh the Otter mascot to help spread the life-saving message of Josh the Otter. Ashley Spitsnogle is the Art Director for JCMF and is the illustrated for the “Josh the Baby Otter” book.
Mario Vitone
Dezarae Bruce

Dezarae Bruce

DezaRae Bruce was awarded the 2013 Joshua Collingsworth Memorial Foundation Volunteer of the Year Award for her incredible service and commitment to the foundation’s water safety efforts. She has volunteered countless hours to ensure that children and families are able to hear the life-saving message of Josh the Otter.

Debbie Koenig

Debbie Koenig was awarded the 2013 Joshua Collingsworth Memorial Foundation Float 4 Life Educator Award for her efforts to ensure that children and adults learn to float and swim. Debbie is the owner of Debbie’s Swim School in the San Francisco area and has fully embraced the Josh the Otter Water Safety and Awareness Project. She purchased her own Josh the Otter mascot suit to continue to educate young children with the “Josh the Baby Otter” book in her area. We are grateful for Debbie’s service and partnership with the foundation!
Debbie Koenig

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Our mission is to educate children and adults worldwide about water safety through the utilization of drowning prevention campaigns & early childhood water safety training. Josh the Otter is a US tax-exempt 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization (Tax ID Number: 26-3091147).

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