Live Like Jake

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Roarke and Keri Morrison dedicate this page to their son Jake Roarke who lost his life in a drowning accident on Nov 30, 2013 at 2 years and 10 months.
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A parent’s worse nightmare…
It was supposed to be a fun Thanksgiving weekend trip that started on Thursday, November 28, 2013 at Keri’s father’s house in Orlando where we ate lots of turkey and stuffing then stayed the night at a hotel on International Drive. We woke up and had a big breakfast at Denny’s with my dad and step mom. We were going to go play some mini golf but got stuck in serious traffic on I-drive so we decided to skip it. We then headed over to New Smyrna Beach where Roarke’s sister Robin and her husband Jim live to finish off our Thanksgiving weekend. We woke up Saturday morning November 30, 2013 and had a great day. Robin and Jim went and got their beautiful Christmas tree and we just played with all of the kids. Then just after 6 pm the last words ANY parent ever wants to hear “where is Jake?” Keri was in the other room nursing our precious little daughter Julia who was 12 weeks old at the time when we heard those words that have forever changed our lives. Jake slipped out the back door in the pitch dark and fell off the dock into the intracoastal. There was so much screaming going on because we knew he was in there but it was so dark we couldn’t see anything. We have never felt so helpless in our entire life knowing that our baby needed us more than ever and we couldn’t save him. Roarke and Jim were going up and down the docks on the Jet Ski until finally Jim found Jake and the ambulance quickly took him to the hospital but they were not able to revive him. Roarke and I were in the room with him while they tried so hard to bring him back to us. We still can remember EVERY second so clearly and screaming for our baby to come back all the well knowing that he had gone straight to Heaven. I hope that no parent EVER has to go through what we have gone through and that is why we are so passionate about drowning prevention and also helping other families who have either lost a child or have a child that has had a near drowning and is in hospital care. We wanted to share our story because we know a lot of you only know that Jake drowned but didn’t know how and where. We do not own a pool and do not live on the water so we weren’t in a real hurry with the swim lessons although he did take lessons over the summer. He wasn’t really taking to it and we were just going to try again next year when he was a little older and more cooperative. Our situation is different than most drowning cases because it was not a pool so whether his life would have been spared if he had done ISR lessons we will never know and that still makes us so sad every day thinking of it. We beg of you if you have a child that does not know how to self-rescue and is over 6 months old please please please get them in lessons. Also when you are on vacation in a different environment please be aware of your surroundings at ALL times because it only takes a few seconds for them to sneak away. We have gone to Robin and Jim’s home countless times with Jake and although we were always nervous of the water and made him wear a life jacket while on the dock, we NEVER imagined he would go out there by himself especially at night. Thank you everyone for all of your prayers, love and support during this time. Please share this story with as many people as you can because if it saves just ONE life then we will know this is our purpose in life and why God chose us to carry out this mission and save other babies. Love you all! Keri and Roarke Morrison

Donations for the Live Like Jake Foundation can be made at livelikejake.com or checks can be sent to: Live Like Jake Foundation Inc 10311 Ironwood Road, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410. Proceeds go to other families who have lost a loved one or have a child that is in critical care as well as provide scholarships for swim lessons to those who cannot afford them.

11/01/2026

Remembering Andy Dalessio today, one of the children we honored at our Together for Our Angels dinner.

Our children give us so much to remember and share. This dinner was a chance for families who have lost a child to drowning to talk about those memories and spend an evening with others who understand.

We’re thankful to the Atkins Family for sponsoring the evening and to Andy’s family for sharing their little boy with us.

Forever loved, forever remembered.

11/01/2026

Meet Jade Robertson, an ISR instructor in Loxahatchee, Florida, who has spent the past seven years teaching children self-rescue skills.

When we asked Jade what she loves most about her work, she shared that teaching ISR is her passion. She finds it rewarding to watch each child grow, both in and out of the water, and values the opportunity to make a positive impact in her community through her business.

Jade’s connection to Live Like Jake is also personal. Her own children received scholarships for ISR lessons, and reading Jake’s story and meeting his family in 2016 helped inspire her to leave public school teaching and become an ISR instructor. She keeps Jake’s picture in her truck visor as a reminder of him and why she does this work.

To Jade, Live Like Jake means more families can access ISR lessons, a community of support for families affected by drowning, and an indoor pool where children can learn year-round.

Looking ahead, Jade wants to reach more children in her community, continue learning as an instructor, and stay involved in Live Like Jake events, fundraisers, and water safety education. Her goals share one purpose: preventing childhood drowning.

10/31/2026

Today, we honor Athena Jade Tooker, a sweet little girl remembered with love at our Together for Our Angels dinner.

This evening gave families who have lost a child to drowning time to share stories about their children and find comfort in being together.

Thank you to the Atkins Family for sponsoring the dinner and to Athena’s family for letting us share a little of their girl with you.

Forever loved, forever remembered.

10/31/2026

Our founder Keri is trading her usual role for mad scientist this Halloween!

Whether you’re celebrating near a pool, lake, pond, or the beach, designate an adult to watch children closely around the water. Before stepping away, make sure another adult takes over.

Happy Halloween from Live Like Jake!

10/30/2026

108 children have now lost their lives to drowning in Florida this year.

108 children. 108 families whose lives are forever changed.

Drowning is fast and silent. As the weather cools, please keep your layers of protection in place—active supervision, locked doors, secure pool barriers and self-rescue swim skills.

Drownings know no season. Prevention cannot either.

10/30/2026

LISTEN: audioboom.com/posts/8970637-live-like-jake-with-keri-morrison

On this edition of TMWS, I’m joined by Keri Morrison, Executive Director of Live Like Jake, for a conversation every parent, grandparent, caregiver, teacher, and community member needs to hear.

After the heartbreaking loss of her son Jake, Keri turned unimaginable grief into a mission focused on childhood drowning prevention, water safety awareness, and helping families protect their children through education and swim lesson scholarships.

This is a conversation that could help save lives.

Tune in for an important and heartfelt discussion with Keri Morrison of Live Like Jake. Please share.

Real stories.
Real people.
Real impact.
News That Unites!™️
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If efforts like Live Like Jake are why you follow The Mark White Show, I’d appreciate your vote in the Top Host competition. This opportunity could help me recognize more difference-makers, share overlooked stories, and connect people with help.

You can cast one free vote every 24 hours, and no donation is required. If you choose to donate for additional votes, funds raised through the competition help support the Ryan Seacrest Foundation through a grant from AIT. The foundation creates interactive media studios in children’s hospitals nationwide.

Thank you for supporting the work I care so much about!

VOTE: tophost.org/2026/mark-white-3

10/30/2026

Today, we honor Norah Lynn Giroux. We were so glad her family could join us at our Together for Our Angels dinner to remember her.

The evening brought families together to honor their precious children, share memories, and connect with others who understand their journey. We are grateful to the Atkins Family for sponsoring this meaningful evening and helping bring our angel families together.

Forever loved, forever remembered. Thank you to Norah’s family for sharing their precious angel with us.

10/29/2026

Enjoy the candy, but don’t forget the gate! Always check that it’s closed and latched. Never leave it propped open.

10/29/2026

Ryan Weeks will always be his family’s “sunshine boy.” His love for Thomas the Train and days at the beach are among the many memories they hold close.

Today, we honor Ryan and the love his family continues to share for him. Thank you to his family for allowing us to share his story and photos with our Live Like Jake community.

10/28/2026

Today, we’re sharing Aiden Chase Radke’s story and remembering a caring boy who wanted everyone to feel included.

Aiden loved making memories with his friends and twin sister, Riley, and dreamed of becoming a firefighter like his daddy.

Thank you to Aiden’s family for sharing their son with us through these photos and memories. We’re honored to help our community get to know Aiden and remember him.

Address

10311 Ironwood Road
Palm Beach Gardens, FL
33410

Telephone

+15613164924

Website

https://livelikejake.com/donate/

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