The water and waves of the Stanislaus River will be a little safer this season thanks to the generosity of Century 21 Select Group Oakdale. The local real estate company and its agents recently donated 200 life vests to the Knights Ferry Army Corps of Engineers.
“Each office has a goal to collect ‘X amount’ of life jackets and then those life jackets stay within the community of where the offices are,” Cecilia Smith, Regional Branch Leader and Sales Manager for the Oakdale office shared of the office’s second year participating in the event.
Smith, along with Realtor Jerry Jones, explained that the company wide goal for Northern California was to collect a total of 3,000 vests thought the Century 21 offices. Launching in May and continuing for close to six weeks, the Oakdale office hosted a number of fundraising events including potlucks, as well as receiving Realtor and client contributions.
“It really makes a lot of sense, because where all of our offices are located, are around bodies of water,” noted Smith. “All in Northern California there’s lakes, streams, rivers.”
The duo shared upon reaching out to the Army Corps regarding needs, they learned there was a need for smaller sized vests as well as youth sizes. Officials also said while it is considered a ‘loaner’ for a day on the water, unfortunately not all vests are returned through the vest lending program.
“Save a life,” Jones shared of the purpose and importance of the vest program. “We’re trying to save a life, especially this year.”
With water levels high from a wet winter and valley temperatures now back in the triple digits, river traffic will likely once again be booming. Life vests are proven to be imperative for the overall safety of those taking to the river regardless of rafting or swim experience.
“We’ve had a few people donate gently used as well. As long as they’re safe and certified we can use them,” Jones said.
The team along with some fellow Realtors delivered the 200 vests to the Army Corps in late June. They will be dispersed throughout the river drop-in locations to provide an extra measure of safety.
