BROWARD COUNTY COMMISSION

NEWS RELEASE

Parks and Recreation Division ▪ 950 N.W. 38th St., Oakland Park, FL 33309

Phone: 954-357-8100 ▪ Fax: 954-561-5359 ▪ www.broward.org/parks

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: June 7, 2012 Phone: 954-357-8115

From: Michael Mills E-mail:

For a Very Good Cause

- SWIM Central’s partner foundation receives grant -

WHAT: What better cause could there be than preventing childhood drownings and near-drownings? That’s the focus of SWIM Central, the coordinating agency for water-safety instruction and awareness in Broward County. Its partner, the S.W.I.M.S. Foundation, is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide safe water instruction to all children in South Florida. The foundation funds such instruction through SWIM Central.

At 10 a.m. on Wednesday, June 20, the S.W.I.M.S. Foundation will receive a $25,000 grant from the Ronald McDonald House Charities of South Florida for “Drowning Prevention and Water Safety Education Lessons.” The check will be presented at the J.C. Carter Park Pool in Fort Lauderdale, one of the many pools SWIM Central partners with countywide.

Drowning is the number-one killer of children ages 4 and under. From 2006 to 2010 there were 41 drowning deaths of children ages 4 and under in Broward County, an average of eight deaths per year. SWIM Central wants to change that, and works with the S.W.I.M.S. Foundation to make water-safety education available to every child in Broward County and throughout South Florida.

WHERE: J.C. Carter Park Pool

1450 W. Sunrise Blvd., Fort Lauderdale 33311

WHEN: Wednesday, June 20

10 a.m.

For further information on SWIM Central, call 954-357-SWIM (7946).

Founded in February 1956 and accredited by the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies, Broward County Parks and Recreation Division manages nearly 6,500 acres, encompassing 19 regional parks and nature centers, six neighborhood parks, and 21 natural areas at various stages of development. Facilities include water parks, campgrounds, a target range, a stadium, a skate park, an observatory, mountain bike trails, an educational farm with stables, and a velodrome and other sports facilities. Hours and fees vary by location. For more information, visit www.broward.org/parks.

Find Yourself – At a Broward County Park

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Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodations in order to participate in County programs, services, and activities must contact the Special Populations Section at 954-357-8170 or TTY 954-537-2844 at least 10 business days prior to the scheduled meeting or event to request an accommodation.