WHAT WE DO
We acquire new swim equipment and donate it to domestic and international water safety programs for at-risk children. We solicit new swimsuits, goggles and caps from manufacturers and retailers nation-wide, and provide a receipt for a charitable contribution tax deduction opportunity. We identify learn-to-swim programs throughout the U.S. and abroad that provide low or no cost swimming lessons to financially challenged, special needs and at-risk children. We distribute new swimsuits, goggles and caps to those programs in order to eliminate the financial barriers for millions of families to enroll their children in life-saving swimming lessons.
WHY WE DO IT
Nearly 1,000 people drown every day worldwide. Accidental drowning claims the lives of 10 people (including 2 children under age 14) every day in America. In the United States alone, 70% of African American, 60% of Latino and 40% of Caucasian children have little or no swimming ability. Moreover, 79% of children in households with income less than $50,000 have little-to-no swimming ability. The expense of basic swim equipment - suits, caps and goggles - is out of reach for many financially challenged families. Formal swimming lessons reduces the likelihood of childhood drowning by 88%. By providing free equipment to encourage all families - regardless of income - to enroll their children in low or no cost learn-to-swim programs, we can all win the battle against accidental childhood drowning.
"You young adults are our future. It is a pleasure to see our leaders
of tomorrow thinking about others and seeking out ways
to help those that need it most. Every child needs to learn to swim. Every child deserves to learn to swim. Every child deserves to live."
-Susan Polder, Executive Director
The Gift of Swimming