MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. — On Saturday, a community pool was packed with kids learning to swim.
“Water safety is critical at all ages,” said Sheryl Woods, YMCA of South Florida president and chief executive officer.
The YMCA of South Florida and The Related Group, along with their partners, brought the Back to School Pool Party to a Cutler Bay neighborhood. They provided swim lessons, free gear and a new backpack before the start of the next school year for families in need.
“It’s really important for us to be able to provide something like this because it’s something that they are not able to go out and get and be able to pay for on their own,” said Marilyn Pascual, TRG Management co-president.
The event comes amid a tragic trend in Florida. Several children have died in drownings over the last few weeks, including two at different lakes behind Plantation homes, while two others drowned in backyard pools.
“Drowning is preventable,” Woods said. “We need adult supervision, number one. Adults should never let kids be in the pool without supervision.”
Data shows Florida leads the nation when it comes to child drownings, a statistic organizers hope to find a way to turn the tide.
“If you teach these children how to swim through attrition, they will teach their children how to swim,” Pascual said. “So it’s like an easy fix, and it’s such an easy fix. Why shouldn’t we do this?”
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