ABOUT THE FOUNDATION
The Joshua Collingsworth Memorial Foundation was established on July 23, 2008. We are a Nebraska nonprofit corporation and an IRS 501 (c) (3) exempt organization. No official office space, or substantial office expenses are being incurred. The primary goals of the foundation are to make an immediate impact on children’s lives and have as much impact as possible with the resources available.
Mission Statement:
Our mission is to educate children and adults worldwide about water safety through the utilization of drowning prevention campaigns & early childhood water safety training.
Our Vision:
Our vision is to eliminate drowning through water safety education and awareness, which will be attained by creating a generational change in the way children and adults perceive bodies of water.
The Board of Directors:
Blake Collingsworth, Lincoln, NE. – blake@joshuamemorial.org
Kathy Collingsworth, Lincoln, NE. – kathy@joshuamemorial.org
Nicole Bennett, Lincoln, NE. – nicole@joshuamemorial.org
Kerry Lassely-Miller, Atlanta, GA. – kerry@joshuamemorial.org
Randy Miller, Atlanta, GA.
Dr. Edward Truemper, Omaha, NE.
James Underwood, Merritt Island, FL
Mario Vittone, Norfolk, VA – www.mariovittone.com
Darci Ross – Lincoln, NE
Board of Trustees
William Bennett – Lincoln, NE
Mike & Mary Palmer – Lincoln, NE
Foundation support staff:
Program Director: Shelly – shelly@joshtheotter.org
Featured Board Member: Dr. Edward Truemper
Dr. Edward Truemper is a Pediatric Intensivist, a Physician who cares for critically ill children. He has worked in critical care for over 25 years. He currently works at Childrens Hospital in Omaha, Ne.
Dr. Truemper’s passion for water safety began at a very early age when he suffered a near drowning in a backyard wading pool when he was 4 years old. Luckily, his father was there to rescue him quickly. Dr. Truemper’s 1st case as a physical in a pediatric residency training was a child who died of drowning. It was a result of that case, and many to follow, that Dr. Truemper realized that more of an impact needs to be placed on water safety and drowning prevention than saving lives after a drowning. No matter the medical intervention, the survival rate for drowning is not good. However, if the focus is water safety and prevention, lives can be saved.
Dr. Truemper is a member of the Board of Directors for the Joshua Collingsworth Memorial Foundation. He strives to assist the Foundation in developing research to determine the most effective training and continue to take this training to infants, toddlers, young children and their caretakers.
