Bathing Suit and Goggle Drive
2026 Bathing Suit & Goggle Drive
Join the Clifton Recreation Department as we help to prevent drowning in New Jersey by participating in the 2026 New Jersey Bathing Suit and Goggle Drive.
The New Jersey Bathing Suit and Goggle Drive is a program where communities collect new bathing suits and goggles that are then distributed to New Jersey communities in need. One of the greatest preventions of drowning is learning to swim. Individuals who cannot afford to purchase a bathing suit cannot participate in lessons and never learn this lifesaving skill.
Join us by bringing your donations to the Clifton Recreation Department (900 Clifton Avenue – City Hall 2nd floor) from May through August and help save lives of children in New Jersey.
Drowning is the leading cause of accidental death among children ages 1 to 4. Did you know that in New Jersey we lose an average of 10 children to drowning each year? Swimming lessons are essential to the safety of children, especially in under-resourced communities. Many agencies around the state have risen to the occasion by providing swim instruction for little or no cost to children, but….
Access to swim lessons requires a proper bathing suit. For many families, this has been one of the major stumbling blocks for access to these lessons. The collection of new bathing suits and goggles are distributed throughout New Jersey to facilities offering free or low-cost swim lessons so that children who do not have access to bathing suit therefore do not take swim lessions. The 2026 bathing suit drive is part of that chain of survival
The New Jersey Bathing Suit and Goggle Drive has been conducted for 6 years.
Campaign History
The total number of bathing suits collected over the six years of the effort is 16,785 for a staggering retail value of from a low estimate of $500,000 to a high of $819,000.
* 2018, Breakwater Beach Waterpark in Seaside Heights NJ conducted the first state- wide bathing suit drive for homeless families.
* 2019, NJRPA partnered with Breakwater Beach and other NJ based aquatic venues and waterparks to conduct a successful Bathing Suit Drive by collecting over 600 bathing suits.
* 2020 and 2021, due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, we were unable to sponsor such drives.
* 2022, the campaign was re-energized collecting and distributing over 400 bathing suits and goggles.
* 2023 NJRPA Aquatic Section Bathing Suit and Google Drive was expanded. Partnering with the New Jersey Swim Safety Alliance and Dolfin Swimwear, the 2023 collection was the largest effort ever collecting and distributing 1800 bathing suits and 900 goggles.
* 2024 Bathing Suit and Goggle Drive was a record no one could dream of. Over 3300 bathing suits, 7200 swim diapers and 600 pairs of goggles were collected by 44 sites. 1500 kids were serviced from 17 agencies.
* 2025 Bathing Suit & Goggle Drive hit record numbers for this statewide, collaborative effort. A record number of 10,985 Bathing Suits, 1847 Goggles and $1500 in donations was collected. An amazing 3,437 suits and 932 goggles were delivered to 28 deserving agencies.
Join the 2026 Effort!
This year’s campaign will be held from Memorial Day Weekend through August 15, 2026, at NJ based aquatic facilities, swim schools, competitive swim venues, recreation departments and waterparks. NEW Bathing suits and goggles collected will be distributed through facilities recognized by both NJRPA and NJSSA for their commitment to drowning prevention education.
Clifton Recreation Department will be helping to break the 2025 records of suits and goggles collected for those in need. Help NJ kids get access to swim lessons and ultimately save lives.