Miami Gardens, FL—The Baby Otter Scholarship and Education Fund, Inc. (BOSEF), and its national spokesperson, baseball legend Andre “The Hawk” Dawson, hosted their first annual dinner fundraiser for the non-profit at The Mahogany Grille, owner Dawson, on Monday, April 30, 2007 at 6:30 pm.

BOSEF is a spin-off of the popular water survival program Baby Otter Swim School, whose founders have had great success in advocating and teaching water safety to people of all ages. Gwyneth Paltrow’s daughter, Apple, is a Baby Otter Swim School graduate.

Dawson is also a graduate of the school, having conquered his fear of water as a result of their programs. With his incredible baseball career, one would not assume Dawson feared water for much of his life. After a near-drowning experience at 14, Andre avoided water for 40 years before completing the Baby Otter Swim School program as an adult.

As the national spokesperson for BOSEF, Dawson now helps build awareness about water safety and drowning prevention.

Founders Mindy York and Marlene Bloom enlisted the help of athletic superstars, including local Florida Marlins, Miami Heat, Florida Panthers, and Miami Dolphins celebrities to autograph items that were added to the valuable silent auction at the event.

The event also featured a raffle, in which one lucky winner received a TransAtlantic Cruise for two from Barcelona to Miami, courtesy of Oceania Cruises, Inc. and valued at nearly $9,000.

All proceeds from the fundraiser went to support the scholarship fund, helping children in financial need and those with physical and mental disabilities get the water survival education every child deserves.

Baby Otter Swim School: Baby Otter Swim School, Inc. (www.BabyOtterSwimSchool.com) is located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Founded by Marlene Bloom and Mindy York, the school specializes in water survival training for children as young as nine-months old, as well as adults.

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