Foundation News

May 2, 2007 – CBS 4

A whole community came together at Cypress Bay High School to lend their support to two families undergoing a lot of pain and hardship for two very different reasons.

The families of Tomas Portuondo and Tyler Goldberg need all the help they can get. Their families underwent terrible tragedy, but a whole community gathered at Cypress Bay High School in Broward Wednesday night, to let them know they are not alone.

Tyler’s family is dealing with the loss of the 14-year-old boy after he was involved in a fatal personal watercraft accident earlier this year. They are collecting money for the Tyler Scott Goldberg Foundation, which is committed to prevent children from suffering injuries arising out of the use of personal watercraft, promoting legislative change, as well as educating children in school about the dangers of operating them. They are also dedicated to easing the suffering of those whose lives impacted by these types of accidents, providing money for medical research and expanding trauma services.

Tomas Portuondo’s mother died in a tragic accident earlier this year. She was loved by many children as their natural mother, even though she was actually a foster mother to several of them. Portuondo, now a young man, has been left with the task of raising his siblings, the same way his mother taught him, but he can’t do it alone.

This is where the fundraising spaghetti dinner comes in at the school Wednesday night. All those who wanted to help out Tomas with money to help raise his siblings or those who want to help out Tyler’s family with their efforts attended the dinner.

https://boatingindustry.com/news/2007/05/29/death-prompts-demand-for-tougher-pwc-laws/

https://outdoortroop.com/florida-jet-ski-laws-a-simple-cheat-sheet-with-all-you-need-to-know/

https://www.pwia.org/

The American Academy of Pediatrics’s Committee on Injury and Poison Prevention recently published an article noting that the use of personal watercraft (PWC) has increased dramatically during the past decade as have the speed and mobility of the watercraft.  A similar dramatic increase in PWC-related injury and death has occurred simultaneously.  No one younger than 16 years should operate a PWC.  The operators and all passengers must wear US Coast Guard-approved personal floatation devices.  Other safety recommendations are suggested for parents and pediatricians.  For more information, click here.

The Coast Guard is urging parents to ensure their children get educated about boating safety before operating or riding a personal watercraft. Adults who rent, lend, or borrow personal watercraft must know and follow Federal and State boating laws, and heed the Coast Guard’s “You’re in Command” message to be responsible for the safety of all those who operate or ride.