Passions Unite for Action at Hope Floats Foundation. FINIS and Hope Floats: Saving Lives Together

PASSIONS UNITE FOR ACTION AT HOPE FLOATS FOUNDATION

FINIS AND HOPE FLOATS: SAVING LIVES TOGETHER

The Hope Floats Foundation (HFF) story encompasses the power of collective initiative and collaboration with others; relying on support from its swim school partners, volunteers, scholarship families, private donors and corporate partners to provide the life-saving swim lesson scholarships it does.

FINIS, the worldwide leader in technical swimming development is one of HFF greatest champions. John Mix and Pablo Morales (three-time Olympic Gold Medalist) started FINIS in 1993. They believed that if they could help people of any age enjoy swimming, and learn to swim better, then they would be helping others and have the opportunity to secure a customer for life.

BY STEF BAKER

HOPE FLOATS PARTNER LIAISON

John is a HFF Founding Board Member. He was sold on the HFF model from the moment founders Cindy and Dave Tonneson shared the purpose of their small organization and its big mission. John recalls, “Their visions aligned with those of FINIS, as did their passion, and so we decided this was the right non-profit platform to partner with.” He currently still serves and is an active and vocal member. His kindness

and passion helps to ignite others both within and outside of HFF. He believes supporting a charitable cause is “like teamwork,” when you help those less fortunate, everyone wins.

Executive Director, Christy Bostic is grateful to FINIS and other corporate partner relationships, as they help to provide another level of credibility. HFF, in turn, helps these companies to fulfill their stewardship roles in communities from coast to coast.

Beyond credibility, FINIS also supports HFF financially with merchandise promotions, which bring a portion of sales back to HFF for scholarships. FINIS and other HFF business partners also played a significant role in helping HFF swim school partners during a time of great economic uncertainty brought on by the coronavirus. Together, the HFF team, including FINIS, supported partner schools during the pandemic providing a COVID-19 Scholarship Relief Fund. “FINIS has always been dedicated to making swimming more accessible,” says Christy. “Our organizational missions are so well aligned; together we are saving the lives of many children who otherwise would never have the opportunity to learn to swim.” John closely echoes Christy’s sentiments. “We help disadvantaged families get swim lessons for their children, who without these scholarships may never learn to swim. This relationship saves lives,” John relays with conviction.

HFF currently serves 200 swim school locations across 31 states; 32 more than it did at the beginning of 2020. People from all walks of life, for a myriad of reasons, cannot afford swim lessons on their own. These people are asking for help so that their kids don’t become another drowning statistic. FINIS and HFF are answering their calls.

One such person is a single father of two, who is a 100% disabled military veteran. His older child has had swim lessons and can swim. The other was three-years-old last summer and had not had the opportunity to learn to swim.

Swim lessons can be expensive, and when added to a monthly budget often get pushed aside until a better time. The swim school serving the community of this father sent him an email with the link to the HFF website. This father didn’t speak to anyone at the school or at HFF about the scholarship program; he just quietly applied online. When asked why he decided to apply, he told me that the neighborhood in which they live has a community pool and his young daughter loves to play in the water. Since she did not know how to swim, he had her wear a life-vest whenever near or in the pool. He said he never really thought about how important it was to learn to swim until he had kids. Now all he wants is to know his daughter would be safe in the water and able to save herself from drowning if she fell in. She is now in her second 12-week session. Scholarship money for both sessions was made possible by the swim school, HFF and, in part, FINIS. She has learned how to self-rescue, how to float and pull herself out of the pool. He is hopeful for her continued progression.

Another example is Mercy, a single mother with two daughters: Imani, age 12 and Esli, age 9. Mercy lost her fulltime job and has not been able to find employment. The girls are scholarship recipients.

Thanks to FINIS and HFF, Imani and Esli were also able to meet 2016 Olympic Gold Medalist, and World and American Record holder, Oliva Smoliga, at their local swim school. Olivia is sponsored by FINIS. “They were very excited to meet Olivia and to know she competes internationally,” said Mercy, “It was important, as it inspired them to know that they too

can do well if they keep working hard and continue to be disciplined with their swim lessons.” Mercy did not realize FINIS sponsors Olivia. However, when I told her the connection between FINIS and HFF, Mercy stated, “It is a noble and kind thing to do. It is important to always give a helping hand to others. We all become great when we help each other become the best versions of ourselves.” Unfortunately, learning to swim, despite being a life-long skill and one that is life-saving, is not considered a necessity. This is where HFF and FINIS come in. Without the financial assistance provided by HFF scholarships, supported by partners like FINIS, children like Imani and Esli would not be able to take part in the life-long skill training that swim lessons provide. Without the scholarship assistance, children like Mercy’s could end up as numbers in drowning statistics.

Both FINIS and HFF realize that together they can do more, reach more, and help more than if they were to do it alone. John Mix relayed his thoughts on the future of the FINIS and HFF partnership, “This is a long-term commitment because there will always be children who need to learn to swim and families who cannot afford the lessons without our help.” He adds, “And as for FINIS, we hope to be a catalyst for more businesses to get involved with HFF and make a lifesaving difference in people’s lives.” As for Mercy, who represents all those struggling financially, and depending on the work of HFF and FINIS for swim lesson scholarships, she says: “May the great work continue, as there is a child whose life will be impacted positively because of the scholarships that enabled them to go pursue and reach their dreams and goals.” With partnerships like FINIS and HFF we hope to answer her prayer.

For more information regarding Hope Floats or to contact the staff please check out our website at www.hopefloats.foundation. For more information about FINIS www.finisswim.com

Edited For: USSSA Magazine, Spring 2021 issue To read the unabridged article please go to www.hopefloats.foundation