High School Football Captains Work To Prevent Drownings

Since Liam Gilliland attended the wake and funeral of 15-year-old Lynn resident Salim Fort last month, he says things aren't the same for him.

Fort died on July 27,  after being pulled from the Breed Pond Reservoir in Lynn. According to police reports after the incident, Fort did not know how to swim when he jumped into the pond on that hot summer evening with his friends.

"Fort played junior varsity football for Lynn Classical," Gilliland said. "He was one of the most talked about players and I respected him very much."

Gilliland, 17, a co-captain of the  Marblehead High School varsity football team, listened at a gathering of Fort's family after the funeral. Each got up and told stories about Fort.  

"Salim's father talked about a program in Lawrence where people donate life jackets to prevent tragedies like this," Gilliland said. "Rather than sit back and wait for someone else to do this or have another tragedy happen, we decided to do something now."

Since Fort's death, Gilliland and his teammates have been asking local businesses and residents to donate new or used life jackets. The life jackets will then be given to the Boys and Girls Club in Lynn to help those who can't swim during summer programs.

"We visited Obie Barker, the executive director of the Lynn Boys and Girls Club and he agreed to help us distribute the donated life jackets," Gilliland said. "We are asking that people donate new or used life jackets."

Gilliland, who said he is rolling the program out quickly, hopes to be able to give life jackets to the Boys and Girls Club by the end of the summer. He said he will continue until the need is not as great.

"I'll do this as long as I have to," he said. 

So far, West Marine and Lynn Marine Supply have joined in the effort and the Marblehead Police and Fire departments have both offered to serve as a drop-off point for the life jackets. Residents can drop off jackets at any time during business hours. 

"I just want to help the community," Gilliland said. "I'm not going to sit back and let things fall apart; I want to stand up and do something about this."