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Did you know that 10 people die every day from unintentional drownings, and 20 percent of these victims are under the age of 15 years old?
My name is Zane Tanabe, and I am a freshman in high school. I play competitive water polo and also swim. I love the water, and it makes me who I am. This year I started a non-profit organization, First Generation Swim Foundation, and the goal is to partner with swim schools to give free lessons to kids who are the first in their families to learn to swim.
I got the idea from my former water polo coach. A four-time Olympian and gold medal winner, Coach Brenda Villa started the Menlo Mavericks water polo club in part to help under-resourced kids try water polo. I thought of how cool it would be to start my own non-profit, but I was afraid of the work to start and maintain my own foundation. However, one day I learned that the entire family of one of my best friends on the team did not even know how to swim. Without the Mavericks, my friend would not have had a reason to learn to swim. This shocking fact gave me the courage to start the First Generation Swim Foundation.
From now until July 31, I am holding the first annual Swim- and Walk-a-thon Fundraiser virtually. I would love it if you can participate. If you have access to a pool, you can swim. If you do not have access to a pool, you can walk, run, or even scooter. Or if you prefer, you can be a sponsor for me while I swim. Any size donation will be appreciated, and there is no donation too small.*
I would love for you to take photos of yourself swimming or walking so I can post the photos online to help spread the word about my non-profit. You can email photos to me on the First Generation Swim Foundation website.
I hope my foundation helps kids to be safe around water and maybe discover the joys of swimming and water polo. Thank you so much for reading this, and I hope you take part in my fundraiser to help save lives.
* All of your donation (100 percent) will be used toward swim lessons for under-resourced first generation swimmers provided by licensed swim schools. First Generation Swim Foundation EIN: 85-1742706
My name is Zane Tanabe, and I am a freshman in high school. I play competitive water polo and also swim. I love the water, and it makes me who I am. This year I started a non-profit organization, First Generation Swim Foundation, and the goal is to partner with swim schools to give free lessons to kids who are the first in their families to learn to swim.
I got the idea from my former water polo coach. A four-time Olympian and gold medal winner, Coach Brenda Villa started the Menlo Mavericks water polo club in part to help under-resourced kids try water polo. I thought of how cool it would be to start my own non-profit, but I was afraid of the work to start and maintain my own foundation. However, one day I learned that the entire family of one of my best friends on the team did not even know how to swim. Without the Mavericks, my friend would not have had a reason to learn to swim. This shocking fact gave me the courage to start the First Generation Swim Foundation.
From now until July 31, I am holding the first annual Swim- and Walk-a-thon Fundraiser virtually. I would love it if you can participate. If you have access to a pool, you can swim. If you do not have access to a pool, you can walk, run, or even scooter. Or if you prefer, you can be a sponsor for me while I swim. Any size donation will be appreciated, and there is no donation too small.*
I would love for you to take photos of yourself swimming or walking so I can post the photos online to help spread the word about my non-profit. You can email photos to me on the First Generation Swim Foundation website.
I hope my foundation helps kids to be safe around water and maybe discover the joys of swimming and water polo. Thank you so much for reading this, and I hope you take part in my fundraiser to help save lives.
* All of your donation (100 percent) will be used toward swim lessons for under-resourced first generation swimmers provided by licensed swim schools. First Generation Swim Foundation EIN: 85-1742706