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2022

ROXIE’S WISH: DROWNING PREVENTION WEEK FOR CHILDREN

Due to the death of co-founder Elena Matyas, 2022 was considerably scaled back. Scroll to watch all five videos.



EPISODE 1: A NEW CHAPTER



EPISODE 2: MEDIA MATTERS



EPISODE 3: THE BATTLE BETWEEN PURPOSE & PAIN



EPISODE 4: THE MOST FAMOUS OLYMPIAN AND THE MEOW MEOW FOUNDATION



EPISODE 5: ADVOCACY IS A MARATHON, NOT A SPRINT



MAY 15-21, 2022

 

Childhood drowning remains a near-epidemic health and safety issue in the United States. Preventable drowning remains the leading injury-related killer of children 1-4 and second for those 5-14.

In 2021, Meow Meow Foundation established legislation that declared every third week in May as “Roxie’s Wish: Drowning Prevention Week for Children.” Our goal with this initiative is to increase nationwide awareness about this enduring child safety epidemic through education, outreach, advocacy and resources.

We are also now beginning to help other advocates adopt this legislative initiative in other states. New Jersey has already introduced “Roxie’s Wish Week” to its legislature. That legislation should be passed by fall of 2022. We are also speaking with representatives from Texas, Washington and Florida about introducing similar legislation and hope to establish enough momentum within 18 months to introduce a federal measure.

We operate from Los Angeles County in California with an estimated 50,000 backyard swimming pools. According to Swim University, California has roughly 3,000,000 swimming pools overall. The United States has about 11,000,000 public and private swimming pools, not to mention the thousands upon thousands of miles of waterfront, including oceans, lakes, ponds, rivers, canals and more. We cannot forget bathtubs, buckets and toilets, also responsible for child drowning deaths and injuries.

Meow Meow Foundation principals Doug Forbes and Elena Matyas have been touched by drowning three times, including their 6-year-old daughter Roxie’s preventable drowning at Summerkids, an Altadena, CA recreational child care facility (otherwise called a camp). If you think it cannot happen to you, think again. So, please join us on this critical journey. We need you.

 

 

 

 

 

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2021

ROXIE’S WISH: DROWNING PREVENTION WEEK FOR CHILDREN

Due to COVID restrictions, our 2021 event was comprised of 7 compelling hour-long movies that we produced. They involved nine Olympic swimmers, nationally known politicians, aquatics experts, heartfelt family stories, insider looks at Roxie and her family and even an Academy Award-winning and globally renowned musician. Scroll to watch.


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WHY THIS EVENT?


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Government data from 2019-2021 shows that childhood drowning is increasing again. It’s already the leading injury-related killer of kids 1-4 and second for those ages 5-14. And COVID-19 distractions have apparently contributed to increases.

There are an estimated 50,000 backyard swimming pools in the Los Angeles area alone. Swim University cites that California has roughly 3,000,000 swimming pools overall. The United States hosts about 11,000,000 public and private swimming pools, not to mention the thousands upon thousands of miles of waterfront, including oceans, lakes, ponds, rivers, canals and more. We cannot forget bathtubs, buckets and toilets, also responsible for child drowning deaths and injuries.

Meow Meow Foundation principals Doug Forbes and Elena Matyas have been touched by drowning three times, including their 6-year-old daughter Roxie’s preventable drowning at an Altadena, CA recreational child care facility (otherwise called a camp).

Doug and Elena have introduced legislation that will hopefully make a big impact on preventing kids from drowning. One of their efforts is ACR-39 which declared the third week of every May in California “Roxie’s Wish: Drowning Prevention Week for Children.” This event will help the state and nation gain momentum toward turning the tide on preventable childhood drowning.

 
 


ACADEMY AWARD-WINNING MUSICIAN

Glen Hansard


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Photos by Patrick Glennon… a wonderful photographer, an incredible advocate for musicians and a beloved friend who builds unforgettable bridges to people and their art.


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About Glen

Glen Hansard plays three songs as we celebrate the memory of Roxie Mirabelle Forbes.

Glen Hansard is a three time Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter and one of the creators behind the award-winning movie and musical Once. The song “Falling Slowly” garnered Best Original Song at the 2008 Academy Awards and the musical would go on to win eight Tony Awards in 2008 including Best Musical.

Hansard is one of the founding members of Irish rock band The Frames, the musical act
The Swell Season and has maintained a healthy solo career. Having performed all over the world, he has graced the stage with such icons as Eddie Vedder, Bruce Springsteen and Bono.

Foundation founder Doug Forbes and Glen first met years ago. Upon hearing of Doug’s journey to raise awareness for this cause, Glen offered his support. Please pull up a chair to our virtual fireside and join us for this very special performance during this very special week.

VERY SPECIAL THANKS … Howard Greynolds and Overcoat Management.


 
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SATURDAY

THE IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNITY, DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION IN AQUATICS



 
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SUNDAY

SWIMMING LESSONS & WATER SAFETY



 
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MONDAY

BARRIERS, RESCUES and OTHER SAFETY RESOURCES



 
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TUESDAY

PARTNERSHIPS



 
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WEDNESDAY

LIFEGUARDS & WATERFRONTS



 
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THURSDAY

ADVOCACY



  • Musical Guest: To be announced shortly!

  • Special recognition of select families who have suffered a childhood drowning

 
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FRIDAY

CLOSING CEREMONY FEATURING ACADEMY AWARD WINNING MUSICIAN GLEN HANSARD and THE ROCK N ROLL HI-FIVES


  • Broadcast from Doug & Elena’s Pasadena HQ

  • Closing ceremony with speeches from Doug and Elena in honor of their beloved daughter, Roxie Mirabelle Forbes, and we hear from 5-time Olympic gold medalist Missy Franklin!

  • Appearances by SwimBrayv MerModels, SuperMeow

  • Discussion: preparing for the summer season and final event celebration of children and families - an emotional night, indeed.

  • Musical guest — THREE songs recorded/videotaped specifically for this event by beloved Academy Award-Winning singer-songwriter Glen Hansard (Swell Season, The Frames)!!! Plus, America’s favorite family band, The Rock N’ Roll Hi-Fives (new live song recorded specifically for this event).

  • More videos from around the nation.