Jake’s Story
Every child is special and Jake was no exception. He almost always had a smile on his face, especially when he met people. He understood humor and had the ability to create his own happiness from all the good and wonderful things life has to offer. Like all little children, he loved simple things: lights, fans, frogs, spiders, lizards, shapes, and the moon. His very favorite thing was pushing his baby stroller around.
Sadly, Jake passed away at the age of 2 years and 10 months in a drowning accident while on a family vacation. Devastated by his loss and wanting to help make sure other parents never had to face the pain they went through, Jake’s parents, Roarke and Keri Morrison, founded the Live Like Jake Foundation to raise awareness for childhood drowning prevention. The foundation provides scholarships for self-rescue swim lessons as well as emotional and financial assistance for families who have lost a loved one or have a child with critical care needs due to drownings or near drownings.
Does your child know how to self-rescue?
According to the Center for Disease Control, drowning is the leading cause of accidental death for children under the age of four and Florida has one of the highest drowning rates in the nation. Infant Swimming Resource (ISR) lessons help children as young as 6 months learn survival swimming skills including what to do if they fall in a pool or body of water.
How you can help
The Live Like Jake 5K is the largest of the foundation’s annual fundraising efforts and in 2018 it had 1400 participants and over 80 sponsors. That success resulted in more than 400 ISR scholarships! Since its inception in 2014, the foundation has been able to award 1500 scholarships and raise tremendous awareness about preventing childhood drowning deaths.
Roarke and Keri are overjoyed by the community’s continued support and hope everyone will come out on Saturday, May 11th to run or simply participate in the day’s events. Volunteers are also needed, just email Keri at livelikejake@gmail.com.
Run, Walk, or Play…this event has something for everyone!
You don’t have to be a competitive runner to enjoy this 5k! No matter your age or skill level, the Live Like Jake 5k has an activity just for you. Beginner runners and families with small children can enjoy the 1 Mile Walk at their own pace. Kid’s of all ages are welcome to participate in the FREE Kid’s Fun Run and afterward enjoy the Kid’s Zone from 8-10am. It’s an action-packed day dedicated to raising awareness and honoring those who have been impacted by drowning accidents.
Details
Where: Abacoa Town Center, Jupiter, FL
When: May 11, 2019 | 7AM (Run), 7:45AM (Walk), 8:15AM (Kids 100yd dash)
Cost: $35/$30 (18 and under)/$20 (Jake’s 1mile)
More Details | Registration
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