A bittersweet 'reunion' raises awareness, money to prevent childhood drowning

JUPITER — Nicholas. Mikey. Madilyn. Jake.

These are the names of just a few of the forever children who are gone too soon because of accidental drowning.

But they live on through the work of their loved ones and community to raise money for others who have been through this terrible tragedy, as well as bring about awareness so that not one more child is lost.

More than 1,000 people ran, jogged or walked in the ninth annual Live Like Jake 5K on Saturday morning in Abacoa. The proceeds and donations over the years have provided 3,400 scholarships for infant swimming resource lessons as well as grants to families who have been affected by childhood drowning.

“We’re raising awareness and continuing Jake’s legacy in saving lives,” said Keri Morrison, while holding back tears. Morrison founded the organization after her 2-year-old son had fallen off of a dock and into the Intracoastal Waterway in New Smyrna Beach in 2013. “It means the world.”

Morrison said that an anonymous donor matched the $10,000 they had raised, which will help at least four families who have critical care needs for children who survived a drowning accident. Insurance often doesn’t cover this necessary treatment, she said, and families are left to fundraise on their own.

The annual event is bittersweet for these families. But it’s here that they can honor their children’s lives and receive support from others who continue to deal with the same loss.

Nicholas’ family started a home inspection business for buyers and sellers to ensure their pools are safe. Mikey’s family lets the younger generations know when they should and shouldn’t swim. And Madilyn’s mom now teaches swim lessons to other children.

“It’s kind of like a big family reunion now, so we look forward to it,” said Chrystal Copenhaver, who came to the event from West Virginia with Emmalyn, her 11-year-old daughter. Madilyn was 2 when she fell into the pool in 2018.

This is Chrystal’s third time at the race, but a first for Emmalyn. Now, she can share with her daughter the people she has met over the years, including Morrison, who had reached out to her while Madilyn was in the hospital.

“It’s different here because everybody understands,” Chrystal said.

Jessica Smith of Royal Palm Beach lost her 2-year-old son just months after Jake died. Now, she tries to continue to honor Nicholas through their business and the thousands of families they have helped. She said support from others after the accident was crucial.

“It was overwhelming in a good way because you don’t expect something back,” she said. “All you want is your child back. The support helps you through.”

Stephanie DiSabato of Sebastian plans to run the race every year because of the cause. Her husband’s cousin Mikey died at age 3 nearly 30 years ago.

“Ever since I met them and I had my first daughter, it was very obvious from the beginning that pool safety was a big thing,” she said.

Her 7- and 4-year-old daughters are around the water “constantly,” she said, and are always telling people what they've learned: they know how to swim, but won’t do so without an adult around.

“It’s a big part of our life,” she said. “I don’t ever want to be that name in the paper.”

It will be 10 years since Jake’s passing in November. It doesn’t get easier, but the work must continue.

“Some days it feels like it was just yesterday. Some days it feels it’s been forever,” Morrison said. “We miss him so much.”

Hannah Morse covers consumer issues for The Palm Beach Post. Drop a line at hmorse@pbpost.com, call 561-820-4833 or follow her on Twitter @mannahhorse.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: A bittersweet 'reunion' raises awareness, money to prevent childhood drowning