USMS Swimming Saves Lives Awards 2012 Grants

September 27, 2012 - Contact: Rob Butcher, U.S. Masters Swimming

Phone: (941) 556-6270; Email: rob@usms.org

The USMS Swimming Saves Lives, the official foundation of U.S. Masters Swimming, has awarded 10 grants, totaling $22,398, for 2012.

Friends of the Pool was awarded a grant to expand Masters programming and opportunities for adults to swim at the municipal aquatic facility in Islamorada, Fla. Walnut Creek Masters, located in Walnut Creek, Calif., was awarded a grant to start a Swimming Saves Lives introductory adult swim program. The Advancement Foundation was awarded a grant to start a Swimming Saves Lives adult swimming program to low-income adults in southwest Virginia. Swim With Heart, located in Santa Monica, Calif., was awarded a grant to offer life affirming and lifesaving swimming to adults who otherwise might not have the opportunity as a result of disability, access to facilities and economic pressures. 21st Century Swimming, located in Sarasota, Fla., was awarded a grant to teach instructors to help adults who are fearful of water become comfortable and empowered as swimmers.

“The common theme of these grant awards is they will directly support programs that are providing opportunities for adults to swim—adults who might not otherwise have opportunities,” says Swimming Saves Lives Foundation Chair Jeff Moxie. “It is anticipated that, as a result of these awards, several hundred adults will be positively impacted with the opportunity to swim.”

Five grants were also awarded to full-time college students who swim for their college club programs. The five recipients attended the USAS Convention where they were mentored and participated in the USMS Annual Meeting. The recipients were Kate Booth, a junior math major at University of Colorado at Boulder; Erica Efigenio, a freshman psychology major at Las Positas College; Shelby Elmore, a junior psychology major at Western State College of Colorado; Rachel Gentry, a public policy/psychology double major at the University of North Carolina; and Allison Ritter, a freshman business management major at the University of Kansas.

About USMS Swimming Saves Lives 

The Swimming Saves Lives is the official foundation of USMS. The foundation was created in 2010. It is supported by contributions from USMS members. For more information, visit usms.org/giving.

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