Drennen’s Dreams Foundation is a National Drowning Prevention and Water Safety organization.

Founded by Bill and Melissa O’Melia, their friends, and community in 2012, Drennen’s Dreams Foundation became a 501(c)(3) non-profit in 2014.

At the age of 12 years old Drennen O’Melia was the victim of a tragic drowning accident. In his memory, Drennen’s Dreams Foundation was formed.  The mission of our Foundation is to promote drowning prevention and water safety. We aim to ensue that there are no more unnecessary deaths due to the lack of sufficient training of lifeguards, the lack of monitoring and understanding the use of life-saving medical equipment, and/or the mismanagement of pool facilities.

Our Foundation works with many private and nonprofit organizations with pools, water parks, and waterfronts, to reinforce accountability standards and to ensure that lifeguards know how to implement their training. We help lifeguards understand what is truly at stake while they are on duty- the lives of others.

Most importantly we inspire their confidence and vigilance while on duty. We also help aquatics managers understand their obligations regarding implementing the proper policies, procedures and emergency action plans. As wells as, in-service training and equipment training.

For facility owners and operators, we educate them on water activity risk management. And, we teach them how to fully understand the importance of oversight, responsibility, and accountability of patron safety, and fun.

Each year our Foundation facilitates approximately 50-100 presentations to lifeguards, aquatics managers, and facility owners and operators in the greater Denver Metro Area, the Rocky Mountain Region, and Nationwide.

Additionally, we offer resources for pediatricians to share with families, hospitals, and others, the importance of the prevention of drowning and the need for ensuring water safety.

July, 2021, in a live interview with FOX31 Denver, Bill O’Melia spoke about the importance of water safety procedures and awareness to prevent drowning. The Drennen’s Dreams Foundation was featured in the promotion of the first ever World Drowning Prevention Day.

Featured in the ‘Not On Your Watch’ American Red Cross training video, our informational video presentations are available for purchase. Our videos have been utilized by aquatics organizations throughout the United States and Canada.

Annually, we reach between 250,000-350,000 lifeguards.

Drennen’s Dreams Foundation supports the training provided by Jeff Ellis Corporation and other aquatics certificed organizations. Presenting in front of clubs, civic organizations, departments of Parks and Recreation, and many other organizations and businesses, our Foundation is in front of communities across the country. We seek to make a difference in the lives of others by teaching the importance of water safety and how to prevent drowning.