USF Tread-A-Thon-Raising Awareness for Drowning Prevention

$456 raised

46% of $1,000 Goal.

0 days left.

9 Donors

Project ended on April 16, 2022
Project Owners

The Project/Challenge

According to the Center for Disease Control, Florida is ranked 6th in the U.S. for unintentional drowning deaths and Hillsborough County has one of the highest drowning rates in the state of Florida. Often times, there is a lot of apprehensiveness behind learning a new skill and the costs of swimming lessons is a large barrier to this life-saving skill.

USF Aquatics understands that many individuals with little to no aquatic experience, often find themselves in uncomfortable positions in and around the water and we are dedicated to raising awareness about drowning prevention and providing access to swimming lessons to the USF community.

Since the start of the pandemic, drowning rates have been on the rise. Because of COVID 19, many community pools have been closed preventing access to swim lessons and water safety programming. In the past year, we have made initiatives such as group lessons to lower cost, but with the rising number of drownings in Hillsborough County, we are determined to make those classes even more accessible by reducing or eliminating the costs for our USF students. 

Who We Are

USF Aquatics is a program area in the department of Recreation & Wellness, we are a group of lifeguards, swim instructors and lifeguard instructors, that provide a safe and welcoming environment to our USF community regardless of age, background or ability. 

We strive to provide our users with a safe and engaging environment at our indoor multipurpose pool and FIT leisure pool. Our facilities are supervised by American Red Cross lifeguards, who are continually trained to meet the highest standard as a professional rescuer. We offer a variety of opportunities for USF Bulls and the community to engage in, from swimming lessons and CPR/Lifeguarding courses, to lap swimming, SCUBA classes, log rolling, pool volleyball and pool golf. 

In addition, we also host a variety of specialty events like Tread-A-Thon, a fundraising event made up of teams, organizations and individuals who raise awareness and donations toward fighting the drowning pandemic by floating or treading water!

The Impact

The University of South Florida and Recreation & Wellness takes pride in our diversity, equity, and inclusion program initiatives. This program specifically targets individuals who previously never had an opportunity to learn this life-saving skill, while also being introduced to water safety precautions. These two action steps within our program provide them with the confidence, skill, and knowledge of how to be safe in and around the water. Donations to this initiative could prevent an accidental drowning of a USF student, and hopefully make them advocates for other adults to learn how to swim so the next generation will know the importance of this skill.

What Your Gifts Will Do

Your generous contribution to the Tread-A-Thon will reduce or eliminate the costs for USF students to participate in life-saving swimming lessons provided through the USF Aquatics program.

Thanks for Your Support!

USF Aquatics thanks you for your generosity, every amount helps.  We hope you will support this project by giving online and join us February 20th, 2022 for our fundraising event, Tread-A-Thon, and get ready to float, tread and raise awareness for drowning prevention!

GO BULLS!  

#bullwatchtreadathon

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$10
Thank You!

Your gift of $10 will provide 1 swimming lesson to a student, equipping them with a life-saving skill!

$25
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Your gift of $25 will provide 3 swimming lessons to a student, equipping them with a life-saving skill!

$50
Thank You!

Your gift of $50 will provide 6 swimming lessons to a student, equipping them with a life-saving skill!

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637,872,759

Endowment Assets Through FY23

37,500

Total Donors in FY23

11,800

Total First Time Donors in FY23