The Florida Swims Foundation and Step Into Swim have joined forces to provide life-saving swim lessons to children throughout Florida.
The Florida Swims Foundation is the non-profit fundraising arm of the Florida Swimming Pool Association (FSPA). Step Into Swim is an initiative of the national Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA). The partnership renews the organizations’ previous collaboration from 2022. During that time, the partners provided more than $150,000 to dozens of Florida swim lesson providers that impacted over 3,000 children throughout the state.
“Both FSPA and the Florida Swims Foundation are thrilled to partner with PHTA and Step Into Swim to make an even larger impact on saving children’s lives through swim lessons,” says Elizabeth McMurray, FSPA chief executive officer. “We look forward to collaborating on new and innovative ways to spearhead the water safety movement to children and their families throughout Florida.”
Through the partnership, both organizations will provide funding to swim lesson providers throughout the state of Florida to educate children on water safety. Step Into Swim will provide matching funding to all monies raised by Florida Swims Foundation.
“The partnership between the Florida Swims Foundation and Step Into Swim is extremely meaningful to the pool, spa, and hot tub industry,” says Sabeena Hickman, CAE, PHTA president and CEO. “It highlights the fact that everyone in this industry can and should play a role in water safety and drowning prevention. FSPA is setting an amazing example of leadership in this space, and I am enthusiastic about everything the two organizations will be able to accomplish this year.”
Since 2011, the Florida Swims Foundation has raised more than $525,500 for swim lessons statewide. The money has been distributed throughout FSPA’s 15 active regional chapters.
“Partnering with Step Into Swim is an exciting venture for the Florida Swims Foundation,” says Don Ball, Florida Swims Foundation Board of Trustees president. “Our combined efforts to share free swim lessons with our Florida community-at large will be a great step toward eliminating child drownings within our state and beyond.”
Step Into Swim raised over $1,000,000 in 2023, which provided grants to more than 100 facilities in 35 states and funded swim lessons for 27,000 children. The initiative has gifted swim lessons to more than 330,000 children since 2012 through YMCAs, Jewish Community Centers, Boys and Girls Clubs, and many more. Step Into Swim is funded through contributions and 100% of donations go to learn-to-swim programming.
“As a Floridian, I have a deep understanding of the important role water plays in day-to-day life in the state, and that swim skills are crucial for every child,” says Olympic Gold Medalist Rowdy Gaines, PHTA vice president of partnerships & development, who leads the Step Into Swim initiative. “I am so thankful for the continued support from FSPA. This renewed partnership with the Florida Swims Foundation will truly have a lifesaving impact on children throughout the state who would not otherwise have access to quality swim instruction.”
For more information about the Florida Swims Foundation and to view the website, visit FloridaSwims.org.
For more information about Step Into Swim, please visit StepIntoSwim.org.
