About Us

Our Story
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Prevent drowning by

Promoting water safety

Our story

In 2010, our family lived in a rental home on a lake in North Carolina. The property was around ¾ acre with an unfenced yard and a dock on the lake. Our 3 children were ages 7, 4, and 2. Being an overprotective mom, our kids were never allowed outside without an adult. I knew the lake represented some amount of risk, however, I naively assumed that because we didn’t let them out of our sight that our vigilance would keep them safe. That spring we let the kids jump off the dock into the lake to daddy and then paddle and kick around to the ladder, climb up, and jump again. They thought this was great fun with daddy and we thought it was a positive family activity and good practice before swim lessons that summer. Jack, who was 4.5, enjoyed it the most. We did that maybe 3 times in the spring, always wearing their life vests.

So, on June 5 when Jack asked if they could jump in the lake with their grandparents who were visiting, I said yes, and reminded him of our 2 rules: always have a grown up with him and to wear his life vest. My husband was playing golf that Saturday morning and the rest of us were just hanging out at home. I did chores like watering flowers and the garden while the kids and grandparents played in the lake. They finished, hung up the towels and life vests on the back deck, and went inside for dry clothes. I continued watering plants before going inside to the kitchen. I heard what I thought to be all 3 kids upstairs with a grandparent, but when they came downstairs there were only 2 kids. I wasted precious time searching for Jack by thinking he was hiding in the house or had crossed the street to a neighbor’s home to see her dog. It did not cross my mind to check the lake; I just didn’t think my kid would go near the water without a grown up. But, he did.

What Drives Us

Our Mission

Lets work together to educate and empower children to make safer choices and smart choices about water safety. Teach children to swim early, read stories about water safety, and implement several safety measures in and around water in our homes and communities.  

Water Safety

Education and resources for water safety.

Donate

Give today and support our mission to prevent drownings.

Events

Participate in events we host or water safety courses.

Not One More

Jack Helbig Memorial Foundation collaborates with families affected by drowning across the United States. Families United to Prevent Drowning works toward the goal of not one more drowning. We share our children with the world in the hope that our stories will not become your story.

Special Thanks To
Our Sponsors
Langeen Builders
Brunswick Electric Membership Corporation
Cape Fear Smiles
Drake Construction
3Cheers Party Rentals
The Office Coffee & Wine Bar
The Iapalucci Law Firm
Tom Guzulaitis Coldwell Banker
Hank Trosianiec And Associates
Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage
Hampton Inn & Suites
Boiling Spring Lakes Family Medicine
Our Partners
Board of directors
Join Us

HAVE A PASSION FOR PREVENTING DROWNING?

Want to share a talent or skill that our non-profit could use? Consider serving a term on our Board of Directors. Complete our application ​and contact us to schedule a time to meet. We look forward to hearing from you!

Contact Us

Our Location

Phone: 910-477-0837

3181 George II Highway, Suite E
Southport, NC 28461

Email: info@jackhelbig.org