An exciting new initiative to provide swimming lessons to kids in need was recently started by SAC student William Deo ’17.
In its first year of existence iWillSwim.org partnered with York Region Children’s Aid Society to raise and distribute funds for swimming lessons to kids in need.
William founded iWillSwim.org in 2015 as a long-term initiative to promote water safety and swimming among Canadians, particularly those who may not have resources, awareness, or are new to Canada.
In a meeting on June 1 to celebrate the milestone of raising $3,000 in charitable donations to fund 12 swimming grants, William spoke about his motivation to start iWillSwim and the fundraising project.
“I was fortunate to be given the opportunity to learn to swim when I was three, and then encouraged to pursue it competitively for over six years. It is a great sport, and keeps you in terrific shape, but more importantly it’s a life-saving skill.”
Commenting on this at the meeting, CEO of York Region CAS, Colette T. Prevost agreed on the importance of providing the opportunity to learn to swim to all kids in care. “It’s a big issue when faced with having to move kids, sometimes close to bodies of water. We will be looking to make it a part our policy in the future.”
Ms. Prevost complimented William on his initiative and thanked him for his collaboration with York Region CAS and his efforts in raising awareness and funds to share the gift of swimming with children in York Region this summer.
At SAC, iWillSwim.org has the support of Outreach Coordinator, Melissa Tackaberry, Varsity Swimming Coach, Christine McCue, and Headmaster Kevin McHenry, who remarked that this initiative has great potential for helping kids in a personal and long-lasting way.
Story by William Deo '17
