PHOTO COURTESY STEARNSNewell Brands, the parent of Stearns- and Coleman-branded marine accessories, donated more than 10,000 life jackets and throwable cushions to the Sea Tow Foundation’s Life Jacket Loaner Program.
“We are extremely appreciative of Newell Brands’ enormously generous donation to our Life Jacket Loaner Program,” Gail R. Kulp, executive director of the Sea Tow Foundation, said in a statement. “They are saving lives and making an impact on communities across the country.”
Of the donated PFDs and cushions, 1,200 life jackets are being shipped to the foundation for distribution to loaner station hosts. Another 1,700 are going to Sea Tow Venice in Florida as a central distribution point to replenish supplies at stations in southwest Florida that were affected by Hurricane Ian. Boating safety groups can pick up life jackets and cushions at the Newell Brands warehouse in Olathe, Kan.
The Sea Tow Foundation also facilitated a connection between Newell and the nonprofit Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida and the Corps of Engineers Natural Resources Education Foundation to donate an additional 10,000 life jackets.
During the 2023 boating season, the foundation has received more than 250 life jacket loaner applications from 46 states, which the organization said is a record.
