ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Sweet, energetic and cuddly are a few words that come to mind when Robin Leavengood thinks of her son, Luke. This month marks 11 years since his death. He was just a few months shy of his second birthday.

What You Need To Know

  • Robin and Ian Leavengood's son, Luke, died from a drowning accident in November 2012. 

  • The family started a nonprofit, Saved By Luke, and award scholarships for infants to take self-save swim lessons.

  • Toddlers learn how to float and roll on their back in the event they fall into a body of water.

  • The non-profit has raised more than $50,000 and is looking to award more scholarships.

“I just remember how happy we were to be having our twins, a boy and a girl," Leavengood said. "And how I felt deep in my heart that we were complete.”

Even though the Leavengoods baby-proofed their house, Luke got out the front door and wandered into a neighbor's backyard, where he drowned in the pool. The weeks that followed were confusing and emotional for Luke's family.

“I was terrified of losing him," she said. "Eventually the doctors did tell us that there was no brain activity so we made the choice to remove him from support.”

After years of grieving, Leavengood and her husband, Ian, decided to turn their tragedy into something positive. They started the nonprofit Saved By Luke, which offers scholarships for toddlers to take self-rescue swim lessons where they learn how to float and roll onto their back.

Adon, who's almost three years old, is the first scholarship recipient. His mother, Kayln Houser, said she otherwise wouldn't be able to afford these types of lessons and is thankful her son is learning skills that could one day save his life. 

“A lot of our family members have pools, we live in Florida, my parents have a boat and he’s by the ocean, so you never know what could happen, Houser said. "It gives me that sense of security that if something were to happen, I feel that he has a much better chance of survival.”

For Leavengood, it was heartwarming to see Adon finish the program after 20 one-on-one lessons. She feels she's found her purpose in saving other parents from experiencing the pain of losing a child – and she carries her son's memory with her every day. 

"I miss you, buddy," she said. "I love you. I can’t wait to see you again. We’re doing our best and we hope that you’re smiling down and enjoying watching Adon today having so much fun in the pool.”

The Leavengoods plan to award swim lesson scholarships to upwards of 100 children over the next year and are currently looking for applicants. For more information, click here.