YMCA and McDonald's Join Forces to Prevent Childhood Drowning

McDonald’s of Central Florida Teams Up With YMCA to Sponsor Safety Around Water

Drowning is the leading cause of accidental death among Florida children ages 1-14. To help kids stay safe in and around the water this summer, the YMCA of Central Florida has joined with McDonald's of Central Florida to offer complimentary swim instruction to children ages 4 to 11 during SAFETY AROUND WATER, April 25-28, 2016, from 5 PM to 8 PM.

Introductory lessons will be provided by certified YMCA swim instructors who will teach basic stroke development, personal safety lessons, and critical water survival skills. Lessons will be offered at no charge to the public at 20 neighborhood YMCA Family Centers across Orange, Osceola, Brevard, Seminole, Lake and Marion counties.

“Each year, the number of Florida children who die from drowning is enough to fill three to four preschool classrooms,” said Rowdy Gaines, YMCA Vice President of Aquatics and a three-time Olympic gold medal swimmer. “Among African-American and Hispanic children, the risk of drowning is even higher and for every child who drowns, many more suffer a permanent disability. Yet the tragedy of drowning is largely preventable when children learn basic water safety techniques.”

“As a mission-based organization, the YMCA has an incredible history of helping people of all ages and abilities learn how to safely enjoy the water,” Gaines said. “Through Safe Start, the YMCA’s innovative infant water survival program, even babies as young as six-months-old can learn how to safely survive a fall into the water.”

Bob Allegroe, owner/operator of three McDonald’s in Apopka (Main Street, Rock Springs and Forest City), had this to say;

“On behalf of McDonald’s of Central Florida, we are excited to partner with the YMCA on a program to benefit the children of our communities. With summer around the corner and with water everywhere in Florida, this program is an opportunity for children to learn a skill that will help them stay safe and learn during Safety Around Water week. It’s a good program.”

The registration deadline for complimentary instruction is April 20.

Use this link to find your closest participating Central Florida YMCA.

Use this link to learn more about Safety Around Water.

The YMCA of Central Florida is one of the area’s largest nonprofits committed to strengthening communities across Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Brevard, Lake and Marion counties and the local communities it serves. It is a diverse organization of men, women and children joined by a shared commitment to Youth Development, Healthy Living and Social Responsibility.

McDonald’s of Central Florida serves thousands of customers every day from 192 restaurants located in Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Brevard, Volusia, Flagler, Marion and Lake counties. A majority of these locations are independently owned and operated by 38 local businessmen and women.