One of my most memorable moments was seeing the elementary kids that I tutor in the school year being terrified to go into the pool at the beginning of our summer swim lessons. These are kids that love sports;  we play soccer and football together during the school year. However, they wouldn't go near the pool for swim lessons, and we live in Florida with water everywhere.

 

My next step was to take their hands individually and promise that I would hold them securely the whole time we were in the pool. We did that and they slowly became less afraid of the water. They eventually were floating and kicking and starting to swim. This was incredibly rewarding for me....watching them go from fear of the water to fun in the pool! I want to do this over and over again with more kids. We need to ensure that kids have no fear of the water and can swim.
 

I first volunteered for the St Augustine Kids Safe Zone in 2023, tutoring them during the school year and then teaching them to swim in the summers.

Mr. Greg White, President and Founder of the West Augustine Historical Society, and Board Member Mrs. Dot Williams have built an incredibly close-knit community, and I wanted to be a part of it. The kids are so grateful for every minute that I spend with them on improving their grades in school or their swimming skills. They always want to do better. It's a great feeling to know that I can make a difference. 

Two years ago, we had one swim instructor for 25 kids. We had two volunteers, including myself. It was simply not enough resources to get all of the kids to become proficient swimmers. 

This past summer, I started the Splash Foundation to secure more resources for the kids. I applied for donations and grants, and we got them! We were able to fund one more swim instructor for the entire summer and offer gift card prizes for kids who became proficient swimmers. Costco, Target, Publix, Panera and the Pollination Project were all very generous! We are grateful to them! 

Too many kids in Florida simply do not know how to swim. 

MY ASK: Funding for the Florida swim voucher program needs to be spent on elementary school kids who are old enough to learn how to swim.

We request that the Florida legislature adjust the existing swim voucher program to include kids that are 1 to 7 years old.

This adjustment in age would be consistent with YMCA national guidelines and those for the American Academy of Pediatrics.

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Thank you very much for your support!​

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- Will Moffett, founder