MOST LOVED
NON-PROFIT Swim With Heart
2020
WINNER Santa Monicans are always looking out for each other and care deeply about giving back to the community, so there is no shortage of worthwhile nonprofits to donate to here. Michael Erin Flaherty or Mikey is the founder of Swim With Heart, a 510(c) (3) organization that helps children and adults with special needs find confidence and joy through being in the water. He says they see miracles happen every day and believe that by building up their students, they can make an even bigger positive impact on the community. Unfortunately the pool has been closed because of COVID since March 12th and so Swim With Heart has been largely unable to fulfill their mission as they once were. Mikey says that they are doing their best to stay positive and that they know that the City will only reopen when it is safe to do so. Swim With Heart has been sending presents and notes to their younger students. He says the SWHMasters team has been ocean swimming on their own
Most Loved 2020
3231 Ocean Park Blvd. #111
56
SWIM WITH HEART
and that they have monthly Zoom get-togethers to stay connected. Mikey says the hardest conversation he has had to have recently was telling the Lil’ Sharkies and Sharks that there was not going to be a 4th of July parade this year. This year 4th of July was on a Saturday and happened to fall on the 10th anniversary of Swim With Heart. However, Mikey says that they will be there on Sunday, July 4th 2021 and asks everyone to save the date! Mikey says that having the support of the community through a Most Loved vote is amazing. “We love that the City of Santa Monica loves us as much as we love them. Swim with Heart has had the opportunity to grow and flourish and its effect has rippled out over the entire community. We are grateful for the continued support of our city!” The Swim With Heart team cannot wait to pick up where they left off. They will survive the COVID crisis and look forward to continuing to bring success and smiles to every swimmer. 310-625-2974
swimwithheart.org
FINALIST ASSISTANCE LEAGUE OF SM 1453 15th St.
310-395-2338
assistanceleague.org Swim With Heart
