Starting on Friday, San Diego lifeguards will be raising money to help under-privileged kids learn to swim.
Lifeguards will ask beach-goers to fill their swim fins in a fund-raising effort. The campaign benefits the San Diego Junior Lifeguard Foundation and aquatic programs at the Jackie Robinson Family YMCA in Southeast San Diego.
Cory McClelland, president of the San Diego Junior Lifeguard Foundation, said learning to swim is vital — especially when living in a coastal city.
“There are too many kids that die of drowning every year,” McClelland said. “It’s the second leading cause of accidental death for 14 year olds and younger in the United States.”
Councilman Kevin Faulconer – whose district includes Pacific Beach – said the drive will help kids learn to swim who might not otherwise get the opportunity.
Faulconer said: “Coming out and putting a dollar will go a long way to help insure that children, particularly those from under-served neighborhoods, have the ability to participate in these swimming programs.”
Lifeguards will be passing the fins on area beaches throughout the weekend.
