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At a kids’ safety day camp in White Bear Lake Tuesday, Abbey’s Hope gave away its 10,000th life jacket. 

 died nearly 20 years ago after a horrific incident in a public wading pool. She became affixed to a powerful underwater pump and later died. Her parents formed Abbey’s Hope to try to keep other kids safe in and on the water.

In batches of small groups, young school-aged children listened to Abbey’s Hope representatives about the importance of water safety. They then lined up to be weighed to determine what size life jacket would best fit each of them. It all culminated with the donation of a brand new, properly fitted life jacket for each child.

“It’s pretty cathartic,” said Scott Taylor, Abbey’s father. “We always do this, these events, and there's always a picture of Abbey, and she's always looking down on us. So, we're pretty proud that her legacy still continues today and that we're still making a difference. It's great.”

The Taylors explained that, from her hospital bed, young Abbey asked them to do something so that what happened to her would never happen to anyone else.

Abbey‘s mother, Katey Taylor, explained that the COVID-19 pandemic inspired the idea to get as many lifejackets as they could to Minnesota children.

“The pools were closed, but creeks, rivers, lakes were open, and ponds were open, and there were flocks of children and families enjoying water, but without the skills,” said Katey Taylor. “So, we started giving away life jackets in the summer of 2020, just a little bit at a time. And then it got bigger and bigger. It's unbelievable.”

The Taylors said they raise money from private donations, and they plan to continue on with their deeply personal mission to help kids stay safe.

Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office commander Jeremy Bolen, who’s been helping the Taylors donate life jackets to kids from the beginning, was on hand for the 10,000th life jacket milestone.

He said people on boats, on shore and in and around swimming pools are too often getting distracted from making sure those around them are safe.

“Texting, and you know, Facebook and all these other apps on your phones that distract you when you're at a swimming beach or out on the lake,” said Bolen. 

He said when he responds to emergency calls on water patrol, many times people say they were looking at their phones when accidents happen.

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Abbey’s Hope gave away its 10,000th life jacket Tuesday, in a larger effort to keeps kids safe in and around water.

Minnesota organization donates 10,000 life jackets to support child water safety

Children sit on the grass while listening to two people speak.

Mark Zdechlik | MPR News

A man leans down to write on a life jacket.

A police officer helps a young child with a life vest.

Minnesota organization donates 10,000 life jackets to support child water safety

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