Volunteers welcome on the beach
Volunteers welcome on the beach
In response to a recent "Letter to the Editor" published by the Walton Sun, we felt it was important to correct some inaccuracies and share some important facts about the Beach Safety and Education Program.
The Beach Safety and Education Program, which focuses heavily on education and prevention, is a partnership between the Walton County Tourist Development Council, South Walton Fire District, the Walton County Sheriffs Office and the Beach Safety and Education Committee.
In the letter, the writer suggested the TDC produce flyers with the rip current diagram. Now in its fifth year, the beach safety marketing program, administered by the TDC, includes collateral material, public relations initiatives, print advertising in local publications, broadcast commercials on local radio stations, PSAs and promotions.
Collateral materials includes beach safety brochures with the rip current diagram, beach safety activity books for children, stickers, posters, magnets for refrigerators, and static-cling stickers for window and mirrors.
The TDC works closing with the lodging industry to ensure visitors are receiving beach safety information at the time of check in and in their accommodations. In addition, the TDC offers the activity books to local restaurants. The SWFD lifeguards as well as the WCSO beach patrol deputies are supplied with beach safety collateral and promotional items which are used while interacting with visitors.
With an aggressive beach safety and education campaign, the Beaches of South Walton had a successful spring and summer season last year. In 2008, there were no rip current related drownings.
Unfortunately not everyone is willing to abide by the warning system and as the writer pointed out, we find people going right back in the water after being warned. In fact, the SWFD had 103 rescues, 550 public assists and 22,080 preventive actions. Visitor contacts totaled 122,279, which means lifeguards had direct interaction with more than 120,000 beachgoers educating them on the flag warning system and the dangers of rip currents.
The TDC welcomes any residents who would like to support the Beach Safety and Education Program by becoming a beach ambassador. For those willing to approach visitors on beach safety topics, the TDC is eager to supply residents with the collateral necessary to deliver this important message. If interested in becoming a beach safety ambassador, contact Carley McMillian at the TDC for more information.
Tracy Louthain
Director of Public Relations & Visitor Services
Beaches of South Walton TDC
Thanks to the Chapel
The breakneck pace of recent events concerning the congregation that formerly met at the Seaside Interfaith Chapel has caught many by surprise unfortunately.
As pastor of that congregation, I have been working with the Seaside Interfaith Chapel board for more than two years about the need for our congregation to relocate.
The Seaside Interfaith Chapel building was not designed to meet the needs of a full-time congregation. It has limited seating, minimal parking, and no classroom space for any type of children's program.
Our congregation, now known as Chapel Ministries, now meets in the former Crosspoint Baptist Church building located just north of Gulf Place. Our congregation is thrilled, at long last, to have made this move.
We thank the board members of the Seaside Interfaith Chapel for their years of faithful support and encouragement of our congregation. It is a testament to their willingness to have accommodated our every need that has allowed us to continue to worship there until now.
Jeff Miller, pastor
Chapel Ministries
