by David Chapman
Staff Writer
There’s been a different feel lately within the ranks of the American Red Cross Volunteer Life Saving Corps in Jacksonville Beach. Not the sting of a particularly bad sunburn or fatigue of constant hustle by the volunteer — but a positive feel.
“We have a synergy that probably hasn’t existed in many years,” said Maurice Rudolph, president of the Corps board of directors and a longtime volunteer. “I feel very fortunate to lead the organization at this time.”
In its last meeting before the 76th Annual Meninak Ocean Swim — organized by Meninak to honor volunteer lifeguards — members of the civic organization were visited by Rudolph to get an update on all of the Corps’ endeavors both at home and abroad.
Rudolph credits the positive synergy to the “young, passionate and motivated” group who are on board and making a difference on the beach and in the community.
The leading cause of death for children ages 1–4, he said, is drowning, in places like lakes and pools due to a combination of lack of education on water safety and the growing number of independent children who aren’t supervised while their parents work, especially in low income areas.
In response, Corps volunteers are going “beyond the beach” to areas such as the Carver Recreation Center to promote water safety training. To date, they’ve taught more than 500 children how to keep their friends and themselves out of trouble.
While Rudolph told Meninak members he was proud of the volunteers’ local efforts, it was their emerging passion to assist abroad in low income countries — where 97 percent of drowning cases occurred — that floored him.
“They came to me and said ‘We want to do something about that’,” said Rudolph, relating how teenage Corps volunteers approached him with the statistic.
While the Corps is chartered by the American Red Cross, there were little to no funds to assist in such a trip. In response, the volunteers took it upon themselves and raised money for a trip to Lima, Peru — a country with 40 drownings in a year — and began to educate the locals on the importance of water safety.
“They have such bigger visions for the organization,” said Rudolph.
Today, the country has created, to Rudolph’s knowledge, the first volunteer life saving corps outside of the U.S., thanks to the training of more than 40 instructors and 200 young people in Peru. In addition, Rudolph will be going to Peru next year to talk with Peruvian Congress members on the program.
The volunteer lifeguards also took part in the South Atlantic Lifesaving Association competition in Myrtle Beach, S.C., over the weekend, where the team placed first overall for the first time in its more than 20 years of participation.
The annual recap and stories on the events of the Corps is a program members have looked forward to during the summer, especially on the heels of one of Meninak’s beachside events.
“It really is an inspiration every year to hear from them,” said Meninak President Bunky Johnson. “To hear what they’re doing all over the world is news ... and it gets us ready for Saturday’s Ocean Swim.”
For Rudolph, sharing stories with the supporting organization is a chance to give back, as well.
“You guys (Meninak) have definitely been an inspiration to us,” said Rudolph to the more than 80 who attended. “You’ve been like a big brother to us.”
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