Sponsor a Satation
Oak Island Water Safety Stations
We have a new project! Oak Island Water Safety Stations will provide a rescue tube flotation buoy and educational sign at each public beach accesses on Oak Island, NC. 1 in 4 bystanders that attempt to rescue a drowning person in the ocean become a drowning fatality themselves, usually due to a lack of flotation device being the utilized.
JHMF is partnering with the Town of Oak Island to place rescue tubes at the beach accesses that can be used by a bystander attempting a rescue if they are unwilling or feel unable to wait for emergency personnel to arrive on scene. The rescue tubes have images and text in English and Spanish on what to do in an emergency. These tubes come from the Rescue Tube Foundation, a nonprofit based in Hawaii, whose rescue tubes are used on beaches around the world. Each station will also have an informational sign with a QR code that directs to the current beach condition as issued by NOAA and NWS. The sign also educates beachgoers on what beach condition flags mean, what to do in an emergency, and the access location of the water safety station.
JHMF is offering the opportunity for community members and businesses to sponsor a Water Safety Station at the donor level of $250.
This is a unique and meaningful way to support your local beach. Donations may be made via this website or by check made payable to Jack Helbig Memorial Foundation and mailed to JHMF at:
3181 George II Hwy Suite E
Southport, NC 28461
Exciting News!
As of 8/12/22 all rescue tube stations have been sponsored due to the overwhelming generosity of the community! But you can still donate to this great project. Any future donations will go to a restricted fund for the maintenance of the stations and towards future rescue tube programs.


Swim for life
Many people within our community often do not learn the critical water safety and swimming skills to keep them safe. The Y is working to address this important issue by offering Swim for Life, a free water safety and swimming program. With so many bodies of water throughout the Wilmington area, it is critical that we provide individuals with the basic knowledge of water safety to reduce the risk of drowning or injury.
Brunswick School of FISH
Swim Scholarships will be provided for local children to take swimming lessons FREE of charge that have not been able to attend due to cost. After being chosen through an application process, they will then begin their eight week session of learning basic swimming and water safety skills that will help them be safer in and around the water.
Swim Lesson Providers
BRUNSWICK COUNTY
- Brunswick Community College Sports & Aquatics Complex: Private and group lessons available on an on-going basis, American Red Cross curriculum
Phone: 910-846-2348
Email: hartzella@brunswickcc.edu - Brunswick County Parks & Recreation
Lessons in summer
Phone: 910-253-2670 - Michelle Ring:
Phone: 910-617-8771 - Fort Caswell Summer Swim Program
American Red Cross group lessons
Phone: 910-278-9501 - The Mobile Mermaid: Kasia Foltyn
Phone: 910-707-3707
Email: 1tallmermaid@gmail.com
Serving Brunswick + Southeast NC
NEW HANOVER COUNTY
- Aquatic Adventures NC Clinton Donald
Phone: 910-742-8671
Email: info@aquaticadventures.com - EveryBODY Swim Renee Murphy
Phone: 910-540-2161
Email: wilmingtonswimpt@gmail.com - Wilmington Swim Academy
Email: wsaswimcamp@gmail.com - YMCA of Southeastern NC
Group lessons, community swim & water safety lessons
Phone: 910-251-8196 x235
Email: priscilla.page@ymcasenc.org - UNCW Aquatic Center Learn to Swim Program
American Red Cross Swim program
Email: 2swim@uncw.edu - Amanda Shrethra, ISR
Phone: 910-431-9726
Email: a.shrestha@infantswim.com - Ann Fuerst, ISR
Phone: 440-334-7112
Email: a.fuerst@infantswim.com
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