Just as the outdoor swimming season is getting underway across the country, disadvantaged children in New Jersey wanting to partake in learning the sport are getting a big boost.
NJ.com is reporting that an anonymous donor has given $45,000 to Jersey City’s American Red Cross with the intention of sponsoring swimming classes for 750 children, in addition to providing lifeguard and swim instructor training. Jersey City currently offers a learn-to-swim program at six pools across fourteen Jersey City parks.
Of the generous donation, North Jersey Red Cross CEO, Mathieu Nelessen, says, “The Red Cross recognizes the importance of water safety. Whether you are at a pool or one of New Jersey’s many beaches and lakes, it is important that children have the knowledge and skills they need to be safe in and around the water. We are happy that this grant will enable Jersey City children to receive potentially lifesaving water safety and swim instruction.”
The donation is coming on the heels of several New Jersey clubs already having received year-end 2014 USA Swimming Foundation Make a Splash grants, designed to directly benefit children who might not otherwise have the opportunity to learn to swim. The Foundation receives more than 120 requests each year to help fund learn-to-swim programs across the country.
After careful review of how each applicant will utilize the allocation, the USA Swimming Foundation awarded 65 grants totaling $346,615 in 2014. New Jersey club beneficiaries included YMCA of Gloucester County, Raritan Valley, Fanwood Scotch Plains, The YMCA of Newark and Vicinity, as well as the Boys & Girls Club of Paterson and Passaic.