Life Jacket Giveaway at County of Fresno Parks
June 4, 2025 – Fresno County Sheriff’s Office officials report that on Tuesday, Sheriff John Zanoni announced plans to distribute approximately 160 life jackets. They range in sizes from infant, to child, to adult. We will give these jackets away at no cost to residents of Fresno County. As part of our effort to reduce drownings, the Sheriff’s Office has put together a campaign to equip swimmers with life jackets in hopes of keeping them safer while visiting lakes and rivers this summer.
At 9:00 a.m. on Sunday, June 8th, members of the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office will hand out a total of 160 life jackets to residents, free of charge.
In February, the Sports Car Club of America - Fresno Chapter hosted a charity race called, “Can You Outrun the Cops.” The Sheriff’s Office, Fresno Police and California Highway Patrol put some of their best drivers on a closed course to compete. In the end, Fresno County Sheriff’s Lieutenant Ryan Gilbert finished in first place and was awarded $1,500. We earmarked that money to be used to purchase life jackets for the purpose we are outlining today.
Our non-profit organization, The Sheriff’s Foundation for Public Safety, decided to match our winnings with $1,500 of its own. We used the total amount of $3,000 to purchase 140 life jackets. The Walmart in Kerman also got involved and donated an additional 20 life jackets. We would like to thank them and also send a special thanks to Big 5 Sporting Goods in Fresno. Staff there worked with us to apply a discount to our order so we could stretch our money and buy as many life jackets as possible.
Last July, we conducted a similar campaign where we handed out 100 life jackets to residents. Those were acquired through donations from a local real estate office and members of the public.
Our distribution for these jackets will take place this Sunday, June 8th at 9:00 a.m. The giveaways will be conducted simultaneously at Skaggs Bridge Park, Lost Lake Park, Laton-Kingston Park and Avocado Lake Park. They will be handed out on a first come, first serve basis.
Our goal is to get swimmers in the habit of wearing life jackets every time they get into a lake or river. We hope to make the thought process as routine as buckling a safety belt when you get into a vehicle.
If you wish to make a tax-deductible donation so that more life jackets can be purchased, visit: https://sheriffsfoundationforpublicsafety.org.
In the note section, type "Life Jackets."
Safety tips:
1.) Stay out of the water if you do not know how to swim.
2.) If you are going to get into the water, always wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket.
3.) Make sure the jacket fits you properly and it is fully fastened with the zipper and/or buckles.
4.) Parents should watch their children at all times.
5.) Understand that when it’s hot outside you will get tired faster than usual.
6.) Respect the water. The temperature of the water remains cold and the current is often stronger than it appears. There can be debris in the water, which is difficult to see and may cause hazardous situations for swimmers.
7.) Be careful of mud and plants on the bottom of lakes and rivers, it’s easy to sink in some spots and get your feet stuck or tangled. Also, use your feet to feel for drop off spots. River and lake bottoms can dramatically change from shallow to deep in a short distance.
View video here.
Source & photo: Fresno County Sheriff’s Office
