Books, Smiles, and Water Safety: Patient First Continues Rotary Partnership

There were plenty of smiles, excited students, and important lessons shared in South Jersey classrooms recently as Patient First teamed up once again with the Voorhees Breakfast Rotary Club for the amazing “Josh the Baby Otter” school outreach program.

For nearly a decade, the Rotary Club has helped bring water safety education to local elementary schools through the engaging “Josh the Baby Otter” book series, and Patient First has proudly supported the mission along the way.

This year’s program included visits to two elementary schools in the Voorhees area, where students gathered for special assemblies focused on water safety, learning to swim, and staying safe around pools, lakes, and beaches. Two members of Patient First’s South Jersey event support staff joined Rotary volunteers to read the stories aloud, creating a fun and interactive experience for the children.

The highlight for many students was receiving their very own copy of the book to take home and keep. It’s a great teaching tool they can revisit long after the school day ends.

At Patient First, partnerships and relationships with community members who care like this one are especially meaningful because they combine education, community connection, and lasting impact. Supporting projects and outreach like this allows us to help bring valuable safety lessons directly to students and families in a memorable and engaging way.

Over the years, the “Josh the Baby Otter” initiative has become a favorite tradition for our South Jersey event support staff. The opportunity to visit local schools, connect with students and educators, and work alongside dedicated Rotary volunteers continues to make the program both rewarding and inspiring for us.

The annual outreach effort is coordinated by the Voorhees Breakfast Rotary Club and “Josh the Otter Advocates,” whose passion for child safety and community service continues to make waves throughout South Jersey – one story at a time.