In an effort to make a splash in community safety, the YMCA of South Palm Beach County has been awarded significant grant money by the USA Swimming Foundation. The near $800,000 fund boost is a part of a nationwide effort to teach kids—and some adults—how to swim at free or reduced costs, targeting those in the community who might otherwise be financially sunk without such support.

According to WPTV, the "Safety Around The Water" program by the YMCA will benefit from this grant, facilitating swimming lessons for kids who, eager to take the plunge, may not have the resources to learn essential water safety skills. Bogged down by more than 400 applications, the USA Swimming Foundation ultimately hand-picked 124 youth programs to receive the grants.

The initiative aims to combat a troubling statistic: drowning remains a leading cause of death in children. Given South Florida's geography, where water is as much a part of the terrain as the land itself, swimming is not merely recreational—it's a critical survival skill. "I am thrilled we have the opportunity to serve 82 youth with life-saving swim lessons in Palm Beach County," said Libby Moon, the Associate Director of Water Safety, in a statement obtained by BocaNewsNow.com.

The program, stationed firmly in the belief of "Safety First, Swim Second", offers year-round lessons for children aged 3 to 17. While the kids are making waves in the water, the USA Swimming Foundation is riding its own tide of success following the excitement of the U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Swimming and the Olympic Games. "The USA Swimming Foundation is proud to continue providing Learn-to-Swim opportunities at the local level for both adults and youth," Elaine Calip, Executive Director of the USA Swimming Foundation, told swimmers taking their first lessons with the hope of boosting interest in the sport.

For interested families and individuals, information on how to sign up for the water safety program is available. By visiting the YMCA's dedicated web page for the Safety Around Water initiative, details on how to take part in this potentially life-saving resource can be found, ensuring no one is left high and dry when it comes to aquatic education.