A Small Foundation with a BIG IMPACT

BY EMMA WOLF | PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE 4ANNA FOUNDATION

Last year, in the Fall of 2021, James and Katie Trent decided to start Golf4ANNA, an event stemming from their foundation, 4ANNA, which they created after their 4-year-old daughter, Anna, tragically drowned in 2016. The Trents decided to start the foundation to increase water safety awareness and adequate training for kids to prevent other families from experiencing the catastrophic loss they experienced.

At this past golf event held at the Carriage Greens Country Club in Darien, the 4ANNA Foundation raised over $15,000 and had 19 sponsors, with Cadence Kitchen & Co & The Foxtail in downtown Downers Grove as the title sponsors. Over 100 golfers came out to support the Trents, including many local families and avid golfers alike.

A portion of the proceeds from the event will be donated to CAST Water Safety. This organization teaches young swimmers self-rescue swimming lessons, including how to practice the self-rescue method. In the self-rescue method, instructors teach children to find air and safety by turning onto their backs and floating during an “aquatic emergency” or a potential drowning event. CAST Water Safety Foundation offers swim lessons on their website, castwatersafety.org.

As for the question, “what’s next?” for the 4ANNA Foundation, there is much promise on the horizon! The Trent fam- ily and others are working to create an educational program to bring to local elementary schools in District 58 to help educate kids on water safety and the self-rescue method.

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James and Katie have also gone to local pools and talked to the lifeguards about the job’s significance and the lifeguard’s role. Swimming under the supervision of highly trained and qualified lifeguards is one of the most important ways for young swimmers to swim safely and avoid a potentially hazardous water situation.

While the thought of your child drowning is terrifying, the Trent family’s goal of creating the 4ANNA Foundation is not to scare parents and kids but rather to educate them on what to do if they ever encounter a swimming accident. Education is the first step in prevention, and the 4ANNA Foundation is “making waves” by spreading awareness and educating the community on water safety. For more information and to stay in the loop about future events and fundraisers, visit 4anna.org.

The 4ANNA Foundation’s tips for swimming safely for kids, teens, and adults:

KIDS: Ask before getting in the water and always swim with an adult.

TEENS: Assign an adult water guardian and always swim with a buddy.

ADULTS: Get in the water and always be within arms reach of your smaller child or be a water guardian for older children.

KIDS: Ask parents to sign you up for self-rescue swim lessons to learn to float.

TEENS: Practice your floating skills every time you get in the water.

ADULTS: Research and sign your kids up for self-rescue swim lessons at 4anna.org.

KIDS: Always wear a life jacket near open water (lakes, rivers, oceans).

TEENS: Always wear life jackets in open water, especially on boats and paddle boards.

ADULTS: Be sure life jackets are Coast Guard-approved and never use them for learning to swim purposes.

KIDS: Always ask before you jump in the water and know the rules of safe swim time.

TEENS: Educate yourself on open water safety, especially rip currents. Learn CPR.

ADULTS: Educate yourself on current water safety and continually assess the water environment. Be sure to communicate water safety rules to your child before they enter the water. Learn CPR. ■