Annual veteran life jacket giveaway to be held amid reported increase in Missouri drownings

By: Allison Patton

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) -- For the sixth year in a row, the United States Exercise Tiger Foundation is set to give out free life jackets to veterans and their pets at Cooper’s Landing on Sunday morning.

The event runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and comes amid a rise in drownings across the state. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, there has been an 80% increase in drownings from Jan. 1 through July 30, 2026, compared to the same period in 2025.

Statewide, MSHP reports 27 drownings so far in 2026 and 30 water-related deaths.

Troop F, which covers much of Mid-Missouri, reports 11 drownings since January, with nine of those being deadly.

MSHP's marine unit will be at the USTF ceremony, which starts at noon, along with the Columbia Fire Department and Boone County Fire Protection District.

"Especially out on the water, life jackets are of utmost importance," MSHP Marine Division Trooper Collin Nichols said. "If you're not wearing your life jacket, it's not going to do you any good. So whether you're an experienced swimmer, all the way down to your toddler, it's important everyone is wearing a life jacket."

USTF also restocked the life jacket loaner station, which can be found at Cooper's Landing near the Missouri River.

National Executive Director Susan Haines said a couple years ago, a kayaker fell into the water and people on shore were able to throw the person a life jacket from the loaner station.

"It saved his life. That is very, very important to know that our efforts have helped to save one life. We hope to be able to save many lives," Haines said.

The ceremony also honored the neighbors who reported a July 5 East Columbia house fire that was deemed a total loss. No one was hurt in the fire.