Benefits Highlight: Swimming Lessons for Children

Chlorine is an essential element in swimming pools, there to help swimmers stay healthy while enjoying the pool. Unfortunately, the pool can be dangerous for those unable to swim. Not only is swimming a skill that can save lives, knowing how to swim opens up a world of other water-related activities, such as sailing, canoeing, and fishing.

To promote swimming ability for children, the Chlorine Chemistry Foundation (CCF), on behalf of the Water Quality and Health Council (WQHC), has supported the National Swimming Pool Foundation’s Step Into Swim® program initiative known as Angels of America’s Fallen (AOAF). “Angels” provides healthy activities, including swimming lessons, for the children of our country’s fallen military and first responders.

In 2018, CCF donated $5,000 to a new AOAF initiative known as Lessons from Lylah. The goal of the program is to create more young swimmers and in doing so, help prevent drownings. Lylah was the two-year-old daughter of Air Force Master Sergeant Josh Gavulic, who died during military training exercises in Arizona. Following their father’s death, Lylah and her five siblings were placed on an AOAF waiting list for healthy activities of their choice. Tragically, the toddler drowned in the family swimming pool before she could learn to swim. “Lessons from Lylah” was set up to offer every child of America’s fallen swimming lessons in Lylah’s honor.

In supporting “Lessons from Lylah,” CCF and the WQHC honor the memory of Sergeant Gavulic and others who have lost their lives in the line of duty.