LEE’S SUMMIT, Mo. GEHA, pronounced “G.E.H.A.” (Government Employees Health Association, Inc.). The Hunt Family Foundation announced today that they will fund swimming lessons in the hometown where legendary Kansas City Chiefs runningback Joe Delaney grew up.
The Hunt Family Foundation and GEHA each donate $5,000 towards the Delaney 37 Foundation. The foundation, which was founded by Delaney’s widow and her daughters, provides mentorship and education to children in Haughton, Louisiana. This includes programs on water safety, financial literacy, and leadership. The $10 000 provided by GEHA and The Hunt Family Foundation, will be used for a series weekly and monthly aquatic safety and swimming lessons. The funds will be used to provide a fair experience for all, including transportation to the nearest swimming pool in Bossier City (Louisiana), which is located near Haughton.
“If my father saw a problem, he would step in to help,” said Joanna Noel. She is the youngest daughter of Joe Delaney, and Delaney 37’s leader. “My father would have been proud of the work being done by GEHA, The Hunt Family Foundation and other organizations in his name to make swimming safer for families,” said Joanna Noel, youngest daughter of Joe Delaney.
Joe Delaney drowned on June 29, 1983 while trying to save three children who were about to drown in a pond near Monroe, Louisiana. He immediately entered the water, even though he could not swim. One child was saved.
Art Nizza, DSW GEHA President & CEO, said: “As we expand efforts with The Hunt Family Foundation & YMCA of Greater Kansas City to make sure that children are safe, through The Joe Delaney Learn to swim Program presented by GEHA; it is only fitting that we also extend our efforts to Delaney’s hometown, and the Delaney 37 Foundation programs that honor his legacy.” We have the opportunity to combat an unacceptable threat for underrepresented youth and address an injustice from the past with swimming and aquatics safety programs.
According to a USA Swimming Foundation study from 2017, 64% of Black Children in the U.S. are unable to swim and six times more likely than White Children to drown. Kansas City residents became aware of this inequity after the tragic death of 13-year old Emmanuel Solomon.
GEHA, along with partners YMCA of Greater Kansas City and the Unified Government of Wyandotte/Kansas City KS, and Kansas City Public Schools, felt this tragedy’s impact and sought to remedy the disparities of aquatic education. The following summer, 200 students received swimming lessons at Parkwood Pool in Kansas City KS, which was the site of the tragedy. GEHA also provided the necessary equipment, including a swimming suit, a towel, and goggles for each child participating in the program.
All children improved in their ability to swim and be safe despite having only been submerged for 38% of the time and having only received a few lessons.
In October 2022, GEHA, and The Hunt Family Foundation will collaborate in providing an additional $50,000 to expand the program in other neighborhoods of Kansas City with similar risks to aquatic safety.
This support will allow 650 more students to receive swimming lessons and equipment at five Kansas City metro areas, including the North Kansas City YMCA. The Linwood YMCA/James B. Nutter Sr. Community Centre, the Cleaver Family YMCA. the Kirk Family YMCA. and the Parkwood Pool. The expanded program has been renamed the Joe Delaney Learn to swim Program, Presented By GEHA. Each student will receive a swimming towel with the Delaney tribute sticker worn by the Kansas City Chiefs in 1983.
Mark Donovan, Chiefs president, said: “The work the Joe Delaney Learn to Swim Program presented by GEHA has done in our local community to address issues of water safety and accessibility is truly inspirational.” The Hunt Family Foundation, GEHA as well as Joe Delaney’s family were able to launch the Delaney 37 Foundation program in Joe’s hometown and surrounding areas. This shows the dedication of GEHA as well as Joe Delaney’s family.
ABOUT GEHA
GEHA, a nonprofit association of members, provides medical and dental coverage to over 2 million federal and military retirees as well as their families. GEHA is a nonprofit member association that provides medical and dental benefits to more than 2 million federal employees and retirees, military retirees and their families. GEHA, headquartered in Lee’s Summit Missouri, has approximately 1,600 employees and is dedicated to its members, their communities, and the health of all federal employees.
GEHA and partners were awarded the Outstanding Aquatic Branch Program Award by the Kansas Recreational and Parks Association. The award recognizes 2022 Parkwood Pool Learn to swim Program, which is a collaborative effort to give swimming lessons and equipment to children living in one of America’s poorest zip codes. GEHA also received a number of other notable civic awards, including being named as one of America’s top 100 healthiest workplaces, Newsweek Magazine’s 2023 Most Trustworthy Company in America list, #55 in Forbes 2023 America’s Best Midsize employers, 2022 Corporate Partnership of the Year by the Mid-America LGBT Chamber of Commerce; 2022 Nonprofit Champions of Diversity by the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce; and in 2022 GEHA took the CEO Action pledge, reaffirming its commitment
Since 2021, GEHA holds the exclusive naming rights for GEHA Field, located at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, which is home to Kansas City Chiefs.
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About the DELANEY37 FOUNDATION
In honor of Joe Alton Delaney, the Delaney 37 Foundation has been created. The Delaney 37 Foundation’s mission is to provide youth with mentorship, education, leadership development, financial literacy, and water safety. The Delaney 37 Foundation provides opportunities to develop strong moral character in youth as they transform into contributing members of the community.
THE KANSAS CITY CHEFS/HUNT FAMILIES FOUNDATION
The franchise was founded in 1960 by sports pioneer Lamar Hunt as the Dallas Texans as a charter membership of the American Football League. In 1963, it moved to Kansas City and became the Kansas City Chiefs. The team competes currently in the West Division in the American Football Conference of the National Football League. The Kansas City Chiefs, under the leadership of Clark Hunt and the Hunt Family, have as their mission to “Win with Character”, “Unite our Community”, and “Honor Tradition”. The Hunt Family Foundation, a 501(c),(3) charitable foundation, is committed to creating a positive impact on the communities in which the Chiefs reside and work. This will be done through philanthropy and programming as well as volunteerism. The Hunt Family Foundation prioritizes organizations with a strong programmatic focus, a commitment to children’s wellness and health, to children and families who are in crisis, to civic responsibility, and to the legacy of the Kansas City Chiefs, and to the National Football League.
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