Help the Grover Cleveland Swim Team
Donation protected
Who I Am:
My name is Chris Sullivan and for the past 14 years I have been a physical education teacher and coach at Grover Cleveland HS in Ridgewood, Queens.
Our Story:
Grover Cleveland's swimming program went through an overhaul 10 years ago when me and Felicia Mair, a fellow teacher at my school, were asked to take over teaching the program. We knew it was time for a change and felt that the program could be used for more than just physical education class credit.
We wanted our students not only to learn how to swim, but to use that dedication and motivation to push themselves further by joining the swim team and even becoming certified lifeguards. We knew that participating on a team would foster confidence and pride in each of them. If they went even further and obtained lifeguard certification, they would not only secure a summer job and but have a tangible way to give back to their communities. They would be part of something bigger than themselves.
The students took to the challenge right away and were eager to jump into the pool to begin learning-- some of them went from being absolutely terrified of the water to confident and enthusiastic swimmers. It has been a thrill and an honor to witness how the pool can create such growth of spirit and self worth in these young adults.
Angel Martinez, a recent Grover Cleveland graduate, summed it up like this: "The swimming program has made a positive change in my life. It made me realize that all the hard work you put in pays off in the end. My coaches, Mr. Sullivan and Ms. Mair, showed me to never be satisfied in helping and doing great things for others. And without them and my teammates, I probably would be with the wrong people doing horrible things and so I thank everyone who played a part in my life.”
What I Am Rasing Money For:
Four new starting blocks for our pool. Our kids deserve updated starting blocks for practice and for home competitions.
The blocks we have now are from the 1950's and certainly need an update.
The Goal:
To purchase four new Kiefer starting blocks. Blocks can be very pricey and this model is middle of the road in terms of pricing:
So many thanks in advace for your generosity to help me help my students!!
My name is Chris Sullivan and for the past 14 years I have been a physical education teacher and coach at Grover Cleveland HS in Ridgewood, Queens.
Our Story:
Grover Cleveland's swimming program went through an overhaul 10 years ago when me and Felicia Mair, a fellow teacher at my school, were asked to take over teaching the program. We knew it was time for a change and felt that the program could be used for more than just physical education class credit.
We wanted our students not only to learn how to swim, but to use that dedication and motivation to push themselves further by joining the swim team and even becoming certified lifeguards. We knew that participating on a team would foster confidence and pride in each of them. If they went even further and obtained lifeguard certification, they would not only secure a summer job and but have a tangible way to give back to their communities. They would be part of something bigger than themselves.
The students took to the challenge right away and were eager to jump into the pool to begin learning-- some of them went from being absolutely terrified of the water to confident and enthusiastic swimmers. It has been a thrill and an honor to witness how the pool can create such growth of spirit and self worth in these young adults.
Angel Martinez, a recent Grover Cleveland graduate, summed it up like this: "The swimming program has made a positive change in my life. It made me realize that all the hard work you put in pays off in the end. My coaches, Mr. Sullivan and Ms. Mair, showed me to never be satisfied in helping and doing great things for others. And without them and my teammates, I probably would be with the wrong people doing horrible things and so I thank everyone who played a part in my life.”
What I Am Rasing Money For:
Four new starting blocks for our pool. Our kids deserve updated starting blocks for practice and for home competitions.
The blocks we have now are from the 1950's and certainly need an update.The Goal:
To purchase four new Kiefer starting blocks. Blocks can be very pricey and this model is middle of the road in terms of pricing:
So many thanks in advace for your generosity to help me help my students!!
Organizer
CB Sullivan
Organizer
New York, NY
