Our children in the Religious Education program are working on a big project to help local kids have a safe and fun time at our local parks and pools.

Did you know that drowning is still a leading cause of death for children under the age of 14? According to USA Swimming, 79% of children from low-income households have little-to-no swimming ability. Unitarian Universalist Church of Spokane is pleased to partner with a local non-profit to help change that reality for kids in our community.

The Spokane Parks Foundation’s Make a Splash in a Kid’s Life program pays for life-saving swim lessons and water safety swim clinics for local youth. They also provide scholarships for low-income kids to become lifeguard certified. They host free community swim sessions and evening pool parties in underserved neighborhoods. Since appropriate swim attire is required for entry into our local pools, Make a Splash also provides free swimsuits for children in need of one. Together, we can help remove financial barriers so all kids can enjoy a hot summer day at the pool!

Starting May 21, 2023, you can find ways to help at the Social Justice Table at the back of the sanctuary. Check out the great display created by our kids in RE! Items and cash donations will be received at the SJ table or you can donate through the church’s webpage. Please notate your donation as “Make Splash-Spokane Parks Foundation”.

Here’s how you can help:

• $10 provides a new swimsuit for a child in need
• $50 funds life-saving formal swim lessons for 1 child
• $100 funds a water safety clinic for up to 8 children
• $250 certifies a lifeguard, helping to employ local youth while ensuring our pools can open
• $500 helps fund a free evening pool party for low-income youth and their families
• Purchase and donate swimsuits — all sizes needed

Take me to the Spokane Parks Foundation’s Make a Splash in a Kid’s Life webpage.