On July 6, 2014, Newport Beach Lifeguard Ben Carlson sacrificed his life rescuing a distressed swimmer, marking the first lifeguard death in the city’s history. On March 19, 2014, 21-month-old Jasper Ray St. Clair passed away after drowning in a backyard pool under the supervision of his babysitter.
In this story, we follow the continued legacy of Ben and Jasper through their parents, who are using the philanthropy work of their respective community foundations, the Ben Carlson Foundation and the Jasper Ray Foundation, to keep their memories alive and make long-lasting, life-saving changes in their community and beyond.
The Ben Carlson Foundation provides scholarships for lifeguards and Junior Lifeguards while also providing financial support to under-resourced Junior Guard foundations globally. The Jasper Ray Foundation advocates for water safety work in the community, partnering with Orange County realtors to inform homeowners about water safety.