The YMCA of Greenwich is launching its Water Safety Fundraising Campaign from March 24 to April 6, with the theme “Water Safety Starts at the Y.”
This initiative aims to raise awareness and funds to support life-saving swim education programs, ensuring that individuals of all ages have the skills and confidence to enjoy the water safely.
The Importance of Water Safety
Water safety is a critical skill for people of all ages. Drowning remains one of the leading causes of accidental death, but swim education significantly reduces the risk.
The YMCA of Greenwich provides accessible aquatic programs designed to teach essential water safety skills, promote wellness, and encourage lifelong participation in swimming.
Programs Supported by the Campaign
Funds raised during the campaign will directly support a variety of aquatic initiatives, including:
• Safety Around Water Program – Free water safety evaluations and lessons for over 600 local fourth graders in Greenwich Public Schools annually.
• Waterside School – Free swim instruction for children from Waterside School in Stamford, CT.
• Swim Lessons for All Ages – Affordable, high-quality swim instruction for infants, children, and adults, with financial assistance available.
• Adaptive Swim Lessons – Personalized instruction for individuals with different abilities, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to learn water safety and enjoy swimming.
• American Red Cross Training – Lifeguard certification and CPR/AED courses that equip individuals with lifesaving skills to respond confidently in emergency situations.
• Aqua Fit Classes – Low-impact workouts designed for seniors, combining cardio, strength, and flexibility exercises in a supportive and refreshing water environment.
• Competitive Aquatics – Programs including the Marlins Swim Team, Marlins Dive Club, and Greenwich Aquatics Water Polo, providing expert coaching to help athletes achieve excellence in and out of the water.
• Masters Swim Program – A structured training program for adult swimmers of all levels, offering coached workouts and a supportive swim community.
• Non-Competitive Swim Club – A youth swim club that focuses on stroke development, coached workouts, and skill refinement without the pressures of competition.
Why Community Support Matters
The campaign seeks to ensure that swim education and water safety programs remain accessible to all, regardless of financial barriers. Donations will directly impact community members by:
• Reducing Drowning Risks: Swim education is proven to save lives. Contributions help fund programs like Safety Around Water, equipping children and adults with critical safety skills.
• Promoting Health and Wellness: Aquatic activities provide a low-impact, full-body workout that benefits people of all ages. Support for these programs encourages
healthy lifestyles through swimming and water fitness.
• Expanding Access to Swimming: Financial limitations can prevent individuals from learning to swim. Donations help ensure that swim lessons and adaptive programs remain available to the entire community.
How to Contribute
Community members can donate online at greenwichymca.org/water-safety or by sending a
check to the YMCA of Greenwich with “Water Safety Fundraiser” noted in the memo.
“Water safety is a shared responsibility, and every contribution to this campaign makes a meaningful difference,” said Matthew Skaarup, CEO of the YMCA of Greenwich. “By coming together as a community, we can ensure that more individuals gain the skills they need to be safe and confident in and around the water, regardless of their financial circumstances.”
For additional information, visit greenwichymca.org/water-safety or stop by the YMCA of Greenwich.
The YMCA of Greenwich is one of the largest community-based organizations in Greenwich. Founded in 1916, the YMCA of Greenwich offers programs and services that promote and sustain healthy living, youth development, and social responsibility to nurture the potential of everyone in our community. Our YMCA is a membership organization open to all people. The YMCA welcomes people of all genders, ages, races, ethnicities, religions, abilities and financial circumstances. With our “Y For All Membership” program, your rates are based on total household income and circumstance.