The National Swimming Pool Foundation® (NSPF®), with the aquatic industry’s assistance, is continuing its mission in 2016 to create one million more swimmers over the next 10 years.
One hundred per cent of the proceeds that Step Into Swim and NSPF membership raises goes towards children learning to swim; this includes not only providing lessons at reputable facilities, but also supplying swimsuits, caps, and transportation. So far the program has donated more than $300,000 to learn-to-swim programs across the country. For every child that learns how to swim, one less child is likely to drown and it also results in a healthier child.
“The Step into Swim Campaign, through their direct-to-program funding, has enabled my team to make a real difference in the amount of children with access to learn-to-swim programs in our community,” says Stephen Little, founder of the Swim To Win Foundation. “The continued support year after year means the first group of children are now returning as junior volunteers to help their younger participants embrace a healthier and safer lifestyle through aquatic programming.”
The Step Into Swim campaign benefits two groups of children: those that cannot afford to learn the life-saving skill of swimming because of their economic or cultural standing and children who benefit from Angels of America’s Fallen (AOAF). AOAF is a non-profit organization that supports children of fallen military and first responders follow their dreams and passion.
“Everything we do improves people’s lives. Learning how to swim improves health from childhood to old age and reduces the risk of drowning. That is what the Step Into Swim program is all about,” says Pool & Spa Marketing editorial advisory board member and NSPF CEO, Thomas M. Lachocki, Ph.D.
For more information on the Step Into Swim program, visit www.nspfmember.org.
