Every Kid 2 Swim Program

Mission

The mission of Every Kid 2 Swim is to make sure every child in our community learns to swim. Every child should learn to swim for safety, fun and fitness.

Every Kid 2 Swim will work to raise funds so that the city of Berkeley Recreation department can teach children to swim who would not otherwise be able to afford lessons. Every Kid 2 Swim will also support efforts to raise public awareness about the importance of every child in our community learning to swim. Every Kid 2 Swim will work to identify barriers to children in our community learning to swim and work to break down those barriers. We plan to fundraise through individuals, businesses and in the future through events (such as a swim a thon). Every Kid 2 Swim was established in August 2010 as an affiliate of the non-profit Berkeley Partners for Parks. All donations will be tax deductible.

First Project 2010/2011

The first project for Every Kid 2 Swim is to raise matching funds for teaching 150 kids swimming lessons in Sept/Oct of 2010 and 150 kids in May 2011. The City of Berkeley will receive $25/child as a grant from East Bay Regional Parks to teach these lessons. Every Kid 2 Swim will raise the additional $25/child needed to provide these lessons.

This project will offer free swimming lessons to every incoming Berkeley Unified School District (BUSD) third and fourth grader who qualifies for the Federal Government’s Free and Reduced Lunch program. BUSD’s most economically disadvantaged youth and families qualify for a meal subsidy from the United States Federal government. Approximately 540 of these students are incoming third and fourth graders. This program will offer free swim lessons to on Saturdays in September (9/11, 9/18, 9/25/ 10/2) and May (5/7, 5/14/ 5/21, 5/28) to those who qualify. Each child will receive eight ½ hour lessons, a certificate of completion and a t-shirt.

Please Donate – Help a child learn to swim

If you donate $25 you can help 1 child learn to swim.
If you donate $100 you can help 4 kids learn to swim.
If you sponsor the program with a $1,000 donation you can enable 40 kids to learn to swim. Sponsors will be recognized with their logos on our t shirts (each child will receive a t shirt for completing the program).

All donors and sponsors will be recognized in the city of Berkeley Recreation summer guide that is mailed to all Berkeley residents.

Donate to BPFP affiliate group

Berkeley Partners for Parks, a nonprofit 501(c)3 corporation established in 1995, acts as fiscal sponsor receiving donations for volunteer community groups that are not incorporated. Your donation is tax deductible to the extend allowed by law. BPFP is a 501(c)(3) non-profit; your membership is tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Donate by mail

Mail a check made out to Berkeley Partners for Parks (in the memo line please write Every Kid 2 Swim):

BPFP
PO Box 12521
Berkeley, CA 94712.

Join online by Credit Card

1. Click on the Network for Good link
2. Click the “Donate now” button.
3. Follow the instructions on the Network for Good web site. Under “Designation,” be sure to include the name Every Kid 2 Swim
4. You will instantly receive a tax deductible receipt!
5. Also, most communications with our members is done by email, so we prefer if you select the option “Provide my name and email address to the charity”.

Why is learning to swim so important?

Nine people die of drowning each day in the US. Click on links to view articles.

Report Finds a Gap Persists in Swimming

Red River Drownings: 6 Teens Drown In Louisiana River, 7th Rescued

Contact Us

Shelley Hayden
(510) 798-7940
Email: everykid2swim@gmail.com