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 sophomore in high school. I love the water, and it makes me who I am. Two years ago I started a non-profit organization, First Generation Swim Foundation, with the goal of partnering with swim schools to give free lessons to kids who are the first in their families to learn to swim. So far we have given out several scholarships to kids from around the Bay Area due to your generous help and donations.

You can meet some of these first generation swimmers at: https://www.firstswimmer.org/recipients 

 

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 May 15th, I am holding a fundraiser to raise funds for lessons for under-resourced first generation swimmers provided by licensed swim schools. All donations are tax deductible.

First Generation Swim Foundation EIN: 85-1742706