NEWS

River Friends to give away 100 youth life vests

Binghamton

The Friends of the Chemung River Watershed is giving away 100 free children’s life vests this summer.

“Wearing a well-fitted life vest is the best precaution you can take to be safe on or near a river, lake or pond,” said Jim Pfiffer, River Friends executive director. “Unfortunately, many children can’t afford the vests or they don’t own vests. River Friends is giving them away this season, along with a short lesson in how to wear the vets and basic river safety.”

The U.S. Coast Guard approved type III vests will be given to children, as needed, during upcoming River Friends paddles, safety talks and other public events. Each child will be fitted for a vest, given a vest and a short talk and information card about river safety and life vests.

“We are not publicizing the dates of the vest give-a-ways, but will distribute them when and where we think they will do the most good,” Pfiffer said. “That includes handing them out one at a time when we see children not wearing vests, playing in or near the river. That’s a perfect time to talk to the children and their parents about river safety and the dangers of swimming in the river.”

The colorful Stearns, three-strap vests include the River Friends logo and the slogan “Be your best. Wear your vest” and are designed to fit youth who weigh 30 pounds or more.

Hesselson’s in Elmira Heights provided the $2,000 worth of vests at half price to River Friends to help improve water safety.