Making Waves: IGLBOR Life Jacket Drive Keeps Kids Safe on the Water

As REALTORS® living and working in a community built around beautiful lakes, the Iowa Great Lakes Board of REALTORS® leadership team and members know firsthand how important water activities are to families in the area, and safety is always at the forefront of their minds. 

So it should come as no surprise that IGLBOR set out to ensure children in their communities were prepared for a summer of water-related activities..and safety. 

For the second year, IGLBOR hosted a life vest drive, collecting more than 100 safety vests to distribute to children in the area. 

Last year, as the group brainstormed ideas to make a splash during the warmer months, the conversation started with sun protection kits—simple packages of sunscreen, lip balm, and other essentials to help families stay safe under the summer sun. But as the group talked, the idea evolved into something bigger, something with even more impact: water safety. And just like that, the Life Vest Drive was born. 

“We felt this was a step up and really ‘protected’ families in a greater way,” said Heather King, IGLBOR member. “It was such a great success and demand that we carried it over for another year.”

IGLBOR CEO, Krista Stafford, said the initiative just made sense to get behind. 

“We wanted a project we could start that would be a yearly initiative the community could come to recognize us for that is unique to our association,” she said. “Of course, water type ideas were the first to come to mind.” 

The first year blew away expectations, Stafford said. IGLBOR asked members to drop off life vests during the month of April and then sent flyers to local schools and posted on social media that pick-ups would be in May at the IGLBOR office. 

“We gave away 116 life jackets last year,” she said. “The joy on some of these kids' faces being able to pick out a life jacket that is brand new from a pile of 10 different colors, it was the best. I'll never forget it!” 

This year, the group set its sights for an even bigger impact, seeking to collect and distribute 120 life vests. They are well on the way to meeting that goal. 

“Being a REALTOR® in the area means providing people services and value, uniting them with important information and connections in more ways than just buying/selling property,” Heather said. “We’re here to help the community thrive and grow. We work together to generate donations, raise money for these important projects and are grateful to qualify for grant funds that also help improve and service the wonderful community we all share.”

Today, there are still life vests up for grabs, King notes, adding that the vests aren’t just for little kids, they continue to have some adult-sized vests for older children, as well.