Southwest Aquatics gets grant for swim program

USA Swimming Foundation has awarded grant money totaling $337,017 to 52 organizations in 23 states to help fund their learn-to-swim programs. The money from the 2016 Make a Splash grant program is being distributed this month, which is National Water Safety Month.

The Gift of Swimming program at Southwest Aquatics, in Winter Garden, was one of the recipients. Joy McGinty is the owner of Southwest Aquatics, which provides all operational, administration and facility expenses for The Gift of Swimming. One hundred percent of the funds received directly benefit disadvantaged and underprivileged children who need to learn to swim.

For information, call Southwest Aquatics at (407) 905-2815 or email [email protected].

In the last nine years, almost four million children have received formalized swim instruction through Make a Splash local partners.

“Our goal is to teach one million children to swim annually by 2017, and this year’s distributions will provide swim lessons at reduced or no cost for more children than ever before,” said Debbie Hesse, executive director of the USA Swimming Foundation. “Swim lessons reduce the risk of drowning by 88 percent.”

To learn more, visit www.usaswimmingfoundation.org.