Life jacket donation program launches at Surfside Beach after child’s drowning

SURFSIDE BEACH, Texas – A new water safety effort is underway at Surfside Beach following the drowning of a young boy in May.

The Surfside community is placing life jackets at beach entrances as part of a program called “Community Floats Together.”

The goal is to make U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets available to all beachgoers and help prevent future drownings.

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Organizers are accepting donations of U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets in all sizes. The donated jackets will be placed near beach access points for public use.

The push comes after the death of 11-year-old Joshua Lahai who drowned while at the beach with his baseball team in May.

• PREVIOUS STORY: Surfside Beach residents, leaders push for safer waters after 11-year-old boy’s drowning death

Anyone who wants to donate can drop off life jackets at multiple locations in Galveston.

• Lucky Lounge
• Naked Iguana Brewery
• Hendley Wine Company,
• Galveston Island Market
• The Link Boutique
• Open Interlink- Business Solutions Network
• The Salty Pelican Surfside

The community plans to continue collecting life jackets as the program grows.