The YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas is expanding its Safety Around Water (SAW) lessons after receiving a gift of $92,425 from POOLCORP, the world’s leading wholesale distributor of swimming pool equipment, parts and supplies, and related outdoor living products. The company teamed up with select YMCAs from across the nation to cover the costs of swim lessons for children and support lifeguard training to individuals who may not otherwise have access. The Dallas Y’s SAW program teaches more than 3,000 children life-saving skills every year, and hyper-focuses on communities from low-income neighborhoods, consisting almost exclusively at apartment complexes where the need is most critical. The funds from POOLCORP will directly benefit 200+ Y campers throughout North Texas.
The program teaches and assesses six main skills, this includes how to: submerge under water, climb out of the pool independently, front swim, float on back, front launch, and “Jump, Push, Turn, Grab” which includes jumping into water, pushing off from the bottom, turning to face the wall, grabbing the wall and exiting the pool. “This donation comes at a pivotal moment since summer is the busiest time of year in all area pools, making the danger of drowning even more prevalent.
We have to be strategic with every decision we make to ensure our Safety Around Water program continues to see high rates of success,” says Curt Hazelbaker, President and CEO of the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas. “We know this incredible gift provided by POOLCORP will have a significant impact and will further support our commitment to eliminate childhood drowning in North Texas.” Since 2021, POOLCORP has donated more than $3 million to 21 YMCAs throughout the U.S, covering swim lessons for more than 30,000 children and training 2,000 lifeguards. “Teaching children to swim is our number one outreach as a company,” says Jennifer Neil, POOLCORP Vice President and Chief Legal Officer. “We are committed to making a difference in the communities where we live and work.”