August 8th Officially Coined 'Stew Leonard Jr. Day'

Mayor Eric Adams Names A Day In Hour Of The (Life-Saving) Supermarket Star

August 8, 2025 (New York, NY) Last week, when supermarket scion Stew Leonard Jr. appeared on WPIX's New York Living to discuss water safety with his wife Kim, he was forced to summon his superhero skills in order to save a crew member in need. When Stew spotted studio engineer Kurt Bennett choking on a piece of steak left behind from an earlier segment, he immediately sprang into action, administering the Heimlich maneuver he learned recently in his Red Cross Lifeguard Training. Stew and Kim tragically lost their two-year-old son to a drowning accident in 1989 and have since made it their life's mission to prevent other families from experiencing the same heartbreak. The Stew Leonard III Water Safety Foundation has raised over $6 million and facilitated thousands of free or low-cost swimming lessons for children in need each year.

When New York Mayor Eric Adams caught wind of Stew's heroic act, he wanted to recognize Stew for his life saving efforts, rewarding him by officially naming August 8th “Stew Leonard Jr. Day” in New York City. “There were layers to the story,” said Mayor Adams. “Stew’s unfortunate loss of a child from drowning. That painful moment, he turned into purpose. He started his swim instruction. Little did he know, one day, the maneuvers that were needed, he was going to save someone else’s life. He’s saving lives, not only by teaching children how to swim but literally, the skills that he needed saved Kurt as well.’

The day not only celebrates Stew Leonard Jr.'s quick thinking and bravery but also highlights the importance of safety education and awareness. Through the Foundation’s efforts, countless children and families have been empowered with life-saving skills, making a lasting impact in communities throughout New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and beyond. The proclamation serves as a reminder to all residents in the tri-state area about the critical importance of being prepared and the ongoing work needed to prevent tragic accidents from taking place.

For more information about the Stew Leonard III Water Safety Foundation and Stewie the Duck Swim School, please visit https://stewietheduck.org/.