YMCA Director Laces Up to Save Lives
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MATTHEWS, NC — A 4-year old drowned in a pool at an East Charlotte apartment complex last month. It’s a tragic story, too familiar in the Charlotte area.
Now a local YMCA director is lacing up his running shoes in an effort to make sure more kids learn to swim.
“Yeah, I’m sort of questioning my sanity a little bit, but it’s for an incredible cause,” he says.
Siskey YMCA Executive Director Rich Gallagher has a plan. He’s going to run 50K, a 31-mile race, to raise $50K.
“Wanting to raise $50,000 to be able to provide 500 swim lessons for kids that can’t afford it,” says Gallagher.
Every day, three children die in the U.S. from accidental drowning. Too many times, it’s because the child didn’t know how to swim.
With an abundance of pools in the Charlotte area, teaching more kids to swim is a must.
“Because we have so much access in this area, it is even more crucial to have that knowledge of learning how to swim,” says Siskey Aquatics Director Christy Daugherty. “And just the basic safety of how to get to the side and float.”
YMCA swim lessons cost $100 per kid, and teach vital water safety skills.
“The focus is on being safe in the water,” says Daugherty. “Getting those basic skills, such as floating, gliding, kicking, arm movements, things like that.”
Several sponsors and individuals have already jumped in to help, potentially saving a child’s life.
Gallagher plans to use his training for a 50K race in October at the U.S. Whitewater Center as a vehicle to raise awareness, and more dollars, for the cause.
“It’s day in, day out,” says Gallagher. “But again, keeping those kids my focus; make sure that we raise that money, and also that I finish the race upright.”
If you want to make a donation to the 50K for 50K campaign, you can do so at the Siskey YMCA at 3127 Weddington Rd in Matthews.
