Some kids in Bloomington-Normal to receive free swimming lessons

Posted on July 5, 2024

*The Swim Safety Program will last from July 8 to Aug. 2. (WJBC file photo)*

BLOOMINGTON – The American Red Cross is teaming up with the Bloomington-Normal YMCA, Boys and Girls Club and Reliable Pools to offer free swimming lessons for local kids.

According to the Red Cross, the organizations are teaming up to offer 30 children from the Boys & Girls Club of Bloomington-Normal free swimming lessons and water safety training through the Swim Safety Program.

The kids who participate will receive swimsuits, goggles and a go-bag as part of the program.

The pilot program will be held at the Bloomington-Normal YMCA.

“The YMCA, Red Cross, Boys & Girls Club and Reliable Pools are committed to building an ecosystem of water safety in McLean County year-round,” BJ Wilken, CEO of the Bloomington-Normal YMCA said. “We are also committed to lowering the drowning rate, especially in our most vulnerable communities.”

The program will include lessons from the Longfellow’s WHALE Tales Water Safety for Children curriculum, which helps children from kindergarten to fifth grade learn how to behave safely around water.

The Swim Safety Program will last from July 8 to Aug. 2.

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year. It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city. Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University. We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk. Going to work every day for some people means…