THE EDITOR'S BOX





Sunday, July 24, 2011

GOOD 2 KNOW: free swimming lessons


The Grand Rapids Department of Parks and Recreation has announced that free youth swimming lessons will be offered this summer at Richmond, Briggs and Martin Luther King outdoor pools.
A generous donation from Amway has made the opportunity possible, according to a news release.
Children who are eligible must be residents of Grand Rapids and qualify for the free or reduced school lunch program. Class space is limited, so call 616.456.3232 to register. For questions regarding lessons and level placement, call 616.456.3662 or visit www.grcity.us/parksandrec.
"Swim education is an important life-saving program for children," said Angela Nelson, Amway corporate citizenship specialist. "Through the Amway One by One Campaign for Children, we're partnering with the city of Grand Rapids Department of Parks and Recreation to ensure every child has the opportunity to learn about swim safety and enjoy one of the summer's most favorite activities."
"We're thrilled to offer free swimming lessons to our residents," said Jay Steffen, director of the parks and recreation department. "Water introduction classes are a fun way for children to cool down from the summer heat while participating in an educational program."
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in 10 people die every day from unintentional drowning. Of these, two are children aged 14 or younger. Participation in formal swimming lessons can reduce the risk of drowning by 88 percent among children aged one to four years.

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