PEORIA (25News Now) – Not everybody has access to a pool or the ability to pay for swimming lessons, but with a new Swim Safety Program, some members of Bloomington-Normal’s Boys and Girls Club are learning to swim for free.
The Swim Safety Program is arranged through a combined effort between the Boys and Girls Club, the YMCA, and the American Red Cross.
According to the Red Cross, on average, 10 people drown in the United States every day, and two of them are under the age of 14. Drownings can happen in large bodies of water like a pool or smaller ones like a bathtub or bucket. However, formal swimming and water safety training can reduce drownings by 88%.
“The earlier that we can make an impact in young people’s lives, teaching them about swim safety and water safety, the greater their possibilities will be when they become adults,” said Bloomington-Normal Boys and Girls …