A $200,000 donation, matched by a gift of equal value, will provide 40,000 swim lessons at no cost or for a low price to children who are in need.
Alexandria (October 24, 2023) – Step Into Swim is a non-profit initiative by the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance dedicated to creating more swimmers through safe swimming education. Today, they announced a strategic alliance with Stew Leonard III Water Safety Foundation. The Foundation has committed $200,000, and the PHTA board of directors matched it. This will allow Step Into swim to provide gift grants for learn-to-swim programs in the Northeast. It will also fund 40,000 swimming lessons and help reduce the drowning rates.
The Stew Lenard III Water Safety Foundation (SL3FSF) was founded by Kim and Stew Jr. in 1990 after they tragically lost their 21-month-old son Stew Lenard III (“Stewie”) in a drowning incident. The Foundation funds hundreds of lifeguard courses and provides more than 10,000 swim lessons at no or low cost to children who are in need. The Foundation will open its first Stewie the Duck Swim school in Norwalk CT, CT, on June 20, 2023. All net proceeds of the swim school are used to fund swimming lessons for children that would otherwise be denied access.
Rowdy Gaines (PHTA Vice-President of Partnerships & Development) who heads the Step Into Swim Initiative said, “Stew Leonard III Water Safety Foundation and Step Into Swim share a common mission: to save people’s lives through swimming lessons.” Step Into Swim was honored to receive this generous donation from Kim and Steve, who are both heroes in the community of water safety. We are thrilled to be able focus these funds in the Northeast where there is an urgent need to increase swim lesson access.
The leading cause of accidental death among children aged 1-4 is drowning. However, receiving swim lessons with a qualified instructor can reduce the risk of dying by 88%. This highlights the importance of water-safety programs. Step Into Swim can make a positive difference in communities in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut where Stew Leonard’s supermarkets already provide community outreach. The Foundation’s generous donation of $200,000 and the ongoing partnership with Step Into Swim allows Step Into Swim to extend the lifesaving gift to learn to swim to areas that are important to the Foundation.
Rowdy Gaines is a great teacher and we love Step Into Swim. The mission of the foundation is similar to ours, which is saving a life one lesson at time. Kim and Stew Leonard, Jr. are co-founders. We are excited to be partnering with Step Into Swim to help prevent drownings.
The Foundation’s contributions are vital to the growth of Step Into Swim. Step Into Swim raised $750,000 through 2023, which funded swimming lessons for 23,000 kids and grants to over 100 facilities across 33 states. Since 2012, the initiative has provided more than 300,000. These lessons have been given through YMCAs and Jewish Community Centers as well as Boys and Girls Clubs. Step into Swim receives funding from contributions. All donations are used to fund learn-to swim programs. To learn more, visit www.stepintoswim.org/.
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