‘I’ve got to do something’

Florida leads the country in drowning deaths of children 1 to 4 years old and an Osceola County resident is doing what she can to help prevent more tragic drownings from happening.

Arkeisha Reese knows far too well what it’s like to lose a child due to drowning. Her son, Kareem, passed away in 2006 when he was unsupervised in a pool during a field trip.

“Better supervision, CPR and swim lessons could have prevented it:” she said.

That is why she formed the Team Kareem Memorial Foundation which helps offer free swimming lessons, CPR classes and water education safety to people around Central Florida.

The foundation is having its fourth Annual Team Kareem Memorial Walk June 27 at the Kissimmee Civic Center. Churches, schools, companies and individuals can register for the walk. It’s $25 for participants 18 and older and those 17 and under are $20.

“I told myself, ‘I’ve got to do something” Reese said. “I (hear) about drownings everyday. It’s a problem and we want to educate and raise funds for lessons and CPR to help those who can’t afford it.’’

Reese, who owns and operates 360 Degrees Signature Cleaning Service, travels to schools and camps throughout Central Florida to educate people.

In 2019, there were 64 drowning deaths in Florida, according to the Florida Department of Children and Families. And the USA Swimming Foundation reports that 10 people drown each day in the United States.

Kimberly Lytle, with Mermaid Aquatics, has been certified to teach swim lessons since 1973 and helps provide free or reduced rates through Reese’s foundation.

“Children are quickly drawn to water and if not educated on what to do, they become part of the drowning statistics:’ she stressed. “I am positive that every parent wished they could go back in time and change what they did.’’

During the lessons, she focuses on teaching, ‘Think so you don’t sink.’

“Students are taught what to do ahead of time if they find themselves in a situation that they are not comfortable with,” Lytle said. “I focus on teaching students to be able to float on their back to get air.”

Reese said her foundation has provided more than 50 swimming lessons since it was created in 2015.

“I stand behind S.E.E.... Supervision, Education and Environment:” she said. “We are around water all the time. It’s just as important as basketball and football and swim lessons can start at 6 months old.’’

Dwight Swasey, with Medic Express and the Orange County Fire Rescue has been teaching CPR classes for eight years and says it can really make a difference.

“It can save a life and it works:’ he said. “It’s better to know and not need it then to not know it and need it one day.”

Medic Express goes to the Memorial Walk each year to provide CPR awareness, AED training and certifications can be obtained at a discount.

“I see it every day. People don’t think it’s important and we are trying to inform everyone Swasey said.

The walk will include vendors, CPR demonstrations, food and kids’ activities. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and the walk begins at 10 a.m.

The largest team will win a prize. Reese is hoping for 300 or more people.

Later this year, Reese is also planning a Team Kareem S.E.E. Gala and Awards “A Wave of Hope After Tragedy” for Sept. 5 at the Doubletree by Hilton Orlando Airport. The evening will include music, food, raffles and more to benefit water safety education. Tickets are $100.

“We want to recognize a few EMS and police officers that have saved children and we want to recognize our supporters,” Reese said. The event is from 5 to 10 p.m.