SAFE IDEA FLOATS INTO GIG HARBOR

By Scott Turner, Gig Harbor Life www.gigharbor-life.com

While on vacation, a pair of Gig Harbor teachers ran into something cool they had to bring home with them.

A couple of years ago, Harbor Heights Elementary School teachers Marion Ekberg and mary Mancuso noticed a life jacket loaner station sitting on a dock in Friday Harbor.

They figured that having something similar sitting at Jerisich Dock would not only be something good for folks that frequent Gig harbor, but would be a seet project their students could dive into.

During last year's Maritime Gig Festival, their idea gained traction when one of their colleagues, Terry McCelland, approached Gig Harbor Fire and Medical One's Prevention Specialist Nanette Tatom.

The lifejackets are being offered at cost through the Gig Harbor West Marine Store. Ekberg said that students had to think of a job they can do to earn money for the project, that will culminate with them wearing the jackets in the upcoming Maritime Gig parade, and end by placing the jackets on the station at the dock.

"We don't just want mom and dad to reach into their wallets and give the kids $5, we want them to actually do somethign for it," Ekberg said

They've been walking dogs, doing dishes, cleaning, car washes and gardening for the green she added.

Public Works Superintendent Marco Malich, and his crew, designed and built the wooden structure.

If you take your child on the dock or on a boat, the floatation devices are going to be available for public use. The success of the project, Tatom added, will be based on an honor system, so (she hinted) return the jackets when you are done using them.

"It'll give people that don't have life jackets an opportunity to put one on and be safe. It's been very neat to work with the people who brought this project forward, and we are glad the city could help out," Malich said. "This is a perfect example of multiple organizations coming together for a common cause and making it happen and saving lives."

Ekberg is happy that students are learning that they are part of a bigger community.

"You've got the home community, school community, and where-you-live community. We always want the kids to understand that they all need to help each other. that's the way the world works."