Looking Out for Long Island Children

Major Sponsors of the Winthrop-University Hospital Pediatric Swim-A-Thon

"Drowning Prevention Through Education"

Bobby Hazen founder of Long Island Drowning Prevention Task Force (LIDPTF)

Did you know that drowning is a leading cause of death for Long Island Children ages one to four? Bobby Hazen, manager of Saf-T-Swim and founder of LIDPTF has dedicated his career to helping families learn how to avoid this tragedy by spreading the word about water safety and educating both the care giver as well as the child. Bobby has taught children as young as two months old how to save themselves from drowning at the Saf-T-Swim facilities located all around the island in Nassau and Suffolk counties.

Founded in 2010 by Jimmy Hazen, LIDPTF, consists of medical professionals from hospitals including Winthrop-University Hospital's Childrens Medical Center and Stony Brook Children's Hospital as well as the Nassau County Department of Health, along with other industries and businesses like the NYS Lifeguards and Bobby's Uncle Jimmy Hazen the owner of Saf-T-Swim.

Bobby Hazen’s organization put together a booklet and website of vital safety tips and information for families, highlighting the dangers and risks associated with pools and open bodies of water. The booklet is distributed throughout Long Island at Saf-T-Swim locations, public pools, doctor’s offices, libraries, parks and other venues that have children’s events.

To bring the concepts in the booklet to life, the LIPTF holds school assemblies for elementary school children and storybook readings at daycare centers and nursery schools to teach children about its Safer 3 program, which focuses on safer kids, safer water and safer response.

We are grateful for Saf-T-Swim's generosity and that they are a part of our annual Swim-A-Thon. Their support helps seriously ill children in our community by providing funding for the Child Life Program, which is vital for the well-being of these young patients, teaching them and their families to cope during stressful surgeries, treatments, and hospitalizations.

Join Saf-T-Swim and LIDPTF and support the Winthrop-University Hospital's Childrens Medical Center. Register to swim or donate at www.winthrop.org/events and like us on Facebook for updates.

See you at the pool!

Why should you come to the Swim-A-Thon?

Please share this video with your friends and teammates so they can see how they can have fun while supporting The Child Life program at Winthrop-University Hospital's Children's Medical Center. This vital program is uninsured but a necessary program for children in our community suffering from cancer, heart disease, and other serious illnesses and injuries. Don't forget to register or donate at www.winthrop.org/events. Thank you!

A Wonderful Community Event For All-Save the date!

Swimmers of all ages will once again come out in force to support the Winthrop Pediatric Swim-A-Thon, which benefits the Child Life Program at the Children's Medical Center of Winthrop-University Hospital. We look forward to seeing our old friends and welcoming new friends on:

Sunday, March 9th, 2014

7:00 am to 11:30 am

Hofstra University Swim Center

900 Fulton Avenue, Hempstead, NY 11550

Register on line at www.winthrop.org/events

Teams of Two or Twenty

Building teams of friends and family adds to the fun and enthusiasm of the Swim-A-Thon. You don't have to be part of a swim-team to be part of the swim-a-thon. However, we've seen swim team members from Westbury, Freeport, North Shore, Port Washington, Garden City, Chaminade, and more. Start creating your team now and register at www.winthrop.org/events. 

Sunday, March 15, 2015

from 7am to 11:30 am

Hofstra University Swim Center

Did you know you or your sponsor can donate on-line?

If you are planning on sponsoring a swimmer, a school group or would like to dedicate a donation to a friend or family member you can do this by following this link www.winthrop.org/events and click on the pledge payment form. All donations are deeply appreciated.

Please share this blog with your friends and have them view the You Tube video about the child life program and the Swim-A-Thon. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ct9YywZ01xY

Thank you!

Frequently Asked Questions:

We just added a "frequently asked questions" page where you will likely find the answer to many of your questions about the swim-a-thon, however, if you have any further questions about the event, feel free to call: (516) 663-4423 or email: ask.swimathon@gmail.com.