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Jack and Jill Greater HSV gives more than $26k for swimming lessons, water safety

Leaders say they hope these funds will provide better access to kids for swim lessons and water safety.

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Kids in underserved communities in Huntsville will now have access to swim lessons. According to the CDC, one in five kids ages 14 and under die from drowning. Huntsville leaders are hoping that these funds will provide access to kids to learn how to swim.

On Tuesday, Jack and Jill of America Greater Huntsville Chapter presented checks totaling more than $26,000 to four local organizations. More than $4,000 each will go to the Boys and Girls Club of North Alabama, Girls Inc. - Huntsville, Huntsville Swim Association -'Sea Dragon Swim Team' and the Village of Promise.

"It was born out of a tragedy. A young child drowned, and we said 'no more'," says Jack and Jill of America Greater Huntsville Chapter President, Michelle Jordan. 

According to Jack and Jill of America Greater Huntsville Chapter Foundation Chair, Margaret Carter, the tragedy happened to a member of a chapter in Augusta, Georgia who was 8-years-old. She says it's been a nationwide effort for three years now.

Jordan says learning how to swim is necessary no matter how old you are. "Everyone needs to learn how to swim just to be safe around water. But you have to know how to swim just to join the Army." 

Carter says these funds will help with swimming lessons, and water safety. "Some kids don't even know the basics. And so we want them to first learn water safety which are the basics, and then we would want them to learn to swim and then even become life guards," says Carter.

The CDC stats show the swimming death rate is ten times higher for African American children ages 10 to 12. Factors include less access to swimming pools. Carter says it helps to train all children early.

"I think naturally all kids are drawn to the water but once they get older, fear sets in and then they're not as eager to get in the water because they're afraid," says Carter.

The money was raised from the JJ Swims Community Fundraiser, and the Pink & Blue Children's Ball. 

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