North Platte Post Staff
North Platte, Ne - Over 300 kindergarten students across North Platte learned life-saving lessons this week through a visit from Josh the Otter, a nationally recognized water safety program.
Josh the Otter made a special appearance at McDonald Elementary School on Thursday, teaching young children about the importance of floating and other key water safety tips. The program is designed to educate children on how to stay safe around water and prevent drownings.
Josh the Otter was created by the Joshua Collingsworth Memorial Foundation (JCMF) in memory of Joshua Collingsworth, who tragically drowned in 2008. Since then, his parents have dedicated themselves to preventing similar accidents by promoting water safety education across the country.
The North Platte Noon Rotary Club has partnered with JCMF since 2012 to bring this important message to local students. “Between Monday and Friday, we will have reached all 300 kindergartners in North Platte’s 11 elementary schools,” said Noah Harvey, chair of the local Josh the Otter program. Participating schools include all North Platte Public Schools, McDaid Elementary, and Our Redeemer Lutheran School.
Each student received a Josh the Otter book and had the opportunity to interact with Josh, reinforcing the program's message in a fun and memorable way.
JCMF’s work has earned national recognition, including the 2012 Community Lifesaving Award from the National Drowning Prevention Alliance and a Regional Award from the National Water Safety Congress. Their partnership with Rotary International has helped expand the program’s reach, spreading awareness and potentially saving lives across the United States.