‘It’s just like keeping his name alive, he’s being a superhero’: S.P.L.A.S.H. Summit to be held by Izzy Scott Foundation and The Kroc Center
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – The parents of a child who drowned in a swimming pool are working with the Salvation Army to provide swim lessons for kids ages 5-to-17. The goal is to help assure water safety when using the pool.
In July of 2022, 4-year-old Israel Scott drowned during a private swimming lesson in Burke County.
The Israel Scott Foundation and the Kroc Center have partnered to make sure children and adults are safe in the water.
“It’s just like keeping his name alive. He’s being a superhero. So, it’s kinda like he’s still living through the foundation,” Izzy’s mother Dori Scott said.
“One of the problems that we actually ran into as parents was that we were looking to sign our child up for swim lessons around the summertime – actually before it was hot – and we were too late. Just ended up on waiting lists throughout the CSRA and nothing was available for what we were looking for,” Izzy’s father Walter Scott said.
Walter and Dori Scott say you shouldn’t wait until summer to learn a life-saving skill. That’s why April 20th, the Scott’s will host the first S.P.L.A.S.H. Summit Day at the Kroc Center.
ALSO ON WJBF: Local organization to host annual autism walk-a-thon
“It’ll be from nine to one. On that day, you can pre-register, and we’ll actually have some in-pool free safety swim instruction available,” Walter Scott said.
The water-safety event, motivated by the loss of their son, adds some fun to a very important message.
“When I signed my child up, I didn’t really know what to look for in swim lessons. I knew that I wanted my child to learn water safety and to learn how to swim to prevent him from drowning when around water. A lot of things you don’t know what, exactly, to look for when signing your child up for swim. And another thing we didn’t know that it was no laws in place, we found that out, unfortunately, after the drowning of our son,” Dori Scott said.
In March of 2023, Izzy’s Law passed in the state of Georgia, requiring the Department of Public Health to develop a safety plan for aquatic activities: a splash of justice for his family and loved ones.
“Kinda like mixed feelings ‘cause I feel like I’m helping save lives of many more kids, and to give those parents the knowledge I did not have when it came to signing my child up, so that it won’t happen again,” Dori Scott said.
Guest speakers, a resource fair, food, and more will be available.
You can visit the Kroc Center’s website to register online, or visit the Israel Scott Foundation booth on Saturday, April 20th.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJBF.
