ANNAPOLIS, MD – The BoatU.S. Foundation’s Kid’s Life Jacket Loaner Program will loan out life jackets over 90,000 times this year – at no cost – at over 500 locations across the nation.

Now, the national 501(c)(3) nonprofit group needs your help in creating a 2010 photo calendar with images of children wearing the life jackets and staying safe on the water. By offering the photo calendar contest on the new Foundation Facebook page the boating safety and environmental organization hopes to educate and reach out to more boaters, as well as generate funds for this much needed program that has saved three children’s lives.

The contest is simple. Borrow a free life jacket from one of the BoatU.S. Foundation's Kid’s Life Jacket Loaner Program sites, snap a picture of your child in the jacket and upload it to the Foundation page on Facebook (or email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

In Lake County, the program site is located at Ferndale Resort, 6190 Soda Bay Road, Kelseyville, telephone 707-279-4866, e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . For a full map of sites visit www.boatus.com/foundation/LJLP/usamapB.asp .

In November, judges will select the best photos to be featured in a 2010 BoatUS Foundation Calendar that will be offered for sale on www.BoatUS.com/Foundation .

The organization also plans to use some of the images to continue to promote the popular program, which allows parents and boaters to borrow for free a right-sized life jacket for the day or weekend.

The BoatU.S. Foundation Facebook page provides updates on all Foundation programs, discussions on boating safety and clean boating topics, short practical safety videos and much more.