The Art of Lifeguarding

At the heart of The Art of Lifeguarding is a simple goal: to thank the ocean lifeguards who protect Long Beach Island’s shores. The following overview explains how in-kind donations help make that appreciation tangible.

About LBIF

The Long Beach Island Foundation of the Arts & Sciences (LBIF) is a nonprofit cultural and educational organization dedicated to enriching the life of our community through the arts, sciences, and lifelong learning. Founded in 1948, LBIF has served as a creative and intellectual hub on Long Beach Island for more than 75 years, offering year-round programs that inspire curiosity, creativity, and connection.

Located on a 22-acre coastal campus in Loveladies, New Jersey, LBIF hosts rotating art exhibitions, hands-on science programs, workshops for all ages, lectures, summer camps, community events, and environmental initiatives. Our programs welcome thousands of residents and visitors each year, creating meaningful opportunities for engagement across generations.

LBIF’s mission is rooted in accessibility, education, and community impact. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, we strive to make high-quality cultural and educational experiences available to everyone, while fostering a deep appreciation for Long Beach Island’s natural environment and the people who help sustain it.

Through signature events, educational programming, and partnerships with local artists, educators, scientists, and community organizations, LBIF celebrates the unique character of Long Beach Island and supports those who contribute to its cultural, environmental, and social fabric. The Art of Lifeguarding is one such initiative, bringing together art, storytelling, and community pride to honor the individuals who help keep our shores safe.

Event Overview

The Art of Lifeguarding is a one-night photography exhibition and community celebration hosted by the LBIF on July 11, 2026. This signature event honors the dedication, athleticism, and service of Long Beach Island’s ocean lifeguards, individuals whose presence is essential to the safety, culture, and spirit of our coastal community.

Through a curated collection of powerful photographs, the exhibition will capture lifeguards in their many roles: training at dawn, responding to rescues, competing in races, and building the deep camaraderie that defines beach patrol life. The images will offer an intimate look at the skill, discipline, and commitment required to protect our beaches, while elevating lifeguarding as both a profession and a lived experience.

The event extends beyond the gallery walls, transforming the LBIF campus into an immersive celebration. Attendees experience live music, opportunities to engage with photographers and patrol members, a marketplace of lifeguard-affiliated vendors, and a gathering that brings together lifeguards, artists, residents, visitors, and local supporters. At its core, The Art of Lifeguarding is about recognition, creating space to acknowledge and celebrate the people who stand watch over our shoreline every summer.

By blending visual storytelling, community engagement, and place-based pride, The Art of Lifeguarding reflects LBIF’s mission to connect art, science, and community in meaningful ways. The event serves as a tribute to ocean lifeguards and a reminder of the vital role they play in the life and identity of Long Beach Island.

Swag Bags + In-Kind Support Overview

As part of The Art of Lifeguarding, LBIF will distribute thoughtfully curated swag bags to ocean lifeguards attending the event. These bags are designed as a gesture of appreciation; recognizing the dedication, skill, and service of the individuals who protect Long Beach Island’s beaches each summer.

Swag bag recipients include active and former ocean lifeguards and members of local beach patrols. This audience is highly active, outdoors-oriented, and performance-driven, with a strong focus on health, safety, and well-being. As trusted and visible members of the community, lifeguards play a vital role in the identity of Long Beach Island and serve as everyday leaders along our shoreline.

Rather than promotional giveaways, the swag bags are intentionally assembled with practical, relevant items that align with the realities of lifeguard life. Products are selected for their usefulness and quality, supporting lifeguards’ needs during long hours in the sun and physically demanding conditions. All items are distributed free of charge, are not resold, and are presented as part of a thank-you experience rather than a marketing effort.

LBIF is seeking in-kind product donations that support an active, outdoor, and wellness-focused lifestyle. Contributions may include sun care, hydration, nutrition, wellness, recovery, or small accessories suitable for beach or athletic use. We welcome donations in quantities appropriate for approximately 100–150 lifeguards, with flexibility based on donor availability. Full-size products or samples are both appreciated.

By contributing to the swag bags, donors directly support a community-driven celebration that honors ocean lifeguards while helping create a meaningful, well-considered experience rooted in recognition, gratitude, and local impact.

Impact Statement

In-kind donations to The Art of Lifeguarding have a direct and meaningful impact on the individuals who dedicate themselves to protecting Long Beach Island’s beaches and coastal visitors. Each contribution helps create an experience that recognizes ocean lifeguards not just for what they do, but for the responsibility, skill, and commitment their role demands.

By supporting the event’s swag bags, donors help foster a moment of appreciation, one that acknowledges long hours in the sun, physical endurance, competitive spirit, and the trust placed in lifeguards by the community. These contributions reinforce morale, strengthen community connection, and remind lifeguards that their work is seen, valued, and celebrated.

Beyond the individual impact, donor support contributes to a broader cultural effort to elevate lifeguarding as an essential part of Long Beach Island’s identity. Through art, storytelling, and shared experience, The Art of Lifeguarding builds greater awareness of the profession and deepens public appreciation for the people who safeguard our shoreline.

Together, these in-kind contributions help transform a single evening into a lasting expression of gratitude, supporting LBIF’s mission to connect art, community, and place in ways that matter.

Logistics + Contact Information

LBIF strives to make the in-kind donation process as simple and flexible as possible. Our team is happy to coordinate details directly with donors to ensure a smooth and timely exchange.

Donation Logistics

Requested delivery timeline: Items should be received by June 19 to ensure inclusion in swag bags. Event date: July 11, 2026

Delivery options: Shipping or local drop-off are both welcome

Quantity guidance: Approximately 100–150 units, or an amount that aligns with donor availability

Use of donations: All items will be distributed free of charge to ocean lifeguards attending the event

Organization Information

Organization: Long Beach Island Foundation of the Arts & Sciences

Status: 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization

Tax ID: 22-6049190

Website: www.lbifoundation.org

Primary Contact

Name: Taylor Jennings

Title: B2B Coordinator

Email: tjennings@lbifoundation.org

Phone: (609) 494-1241

We welcome the opportunity to answer questions, discuss donation options, or provide any additional information needed to support your review process.

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