Newspaper editorial notes need for project

(This editorial was published in The Times at Shreveport and at shreveporttimes.com on Thursday, August 19, 2010.)

Editorial: Swim lessons right response

Teaching people to swim strikes us as one of those ideal community efforts that yields measurable results.

Born of tragedy, the new Stewart-Warner Project Swim program never will be able to ascertain how many lives are saved from drowning because of it. But organizers will be able to count each season how many children — those who otherwise couldn't afford lessons — now know this life skill.

Offering underprivileged children two-week swim lessons also is the ideal cause that can rally a variety of community organizations and tap their resources and networks: the YMCA, the American Red Cross, Shreveport's fire and parks and recreation departments, the Community Foundation. Project Swim can easily be expanded to incorporate existing summer camps and other activities where certified instructors are available.

And other organizations can add their own independent programs. Most recently, AMIkids Red River, a school for adjudicated juvenile offenders ages 12 to 18, announced it will offer lessons in its after-school program at the old Bossier City YMCA building at 2890 Douglas St. Over the past decade, the program has served more than 1,200 students from Bossier, Caddo, Claiborne and Webster parishes.

As for Project Swim, with a gift of $35 a donor can know that he or she is equipping a child with the ability to stay safer around water, whether a backyard pool, a swimming hole or Red River. And in an era of overweight children, Project Swim provides another lifelong means of exercising.

The immediate challenge will be the public relations and education campaign to reach parents and their children about the availability of the program and the importance of water safety. As the swimming season winds down, it will be important to lay the groundwork for a sustained effort heading into next summer.

And though this program is aimed at children from disadvantaged families, the outreach focus should also include grown-ups. We appreciate the comments of state Rep. Barbara Norton, who admitted she was a non-swimmer but intends to learn to help set an example for other adults.

And, finally, Stewart-Warner Project Swim also gives the community a means of providing a more lasting tribute to the six teenagers — siblings Takeitha Warner, JaMarcus Warner, JaTavious Warner and brothers Litrelle Stewart, LaDarius Stewart, Latevin Stewart — who drowned as they tried to rescue another. How different that Red River outing Aug. 2 might have been if one or two had been taught to swim.

To donate

You can sponsor swim lessons through tax-deductible donations. Make checks payable to The Community Foundation and indicate that the money should go to Project Swim. Donations also can be made online.

Contact The Community Foundation by visiting 401 Edwards Street, Suite 105, Shreveport, LA 71101, or by calling (318) 221-0582.

Organizations that want to partner for lessons must teach a nationally recognized curriculum, provide certified lifeguards and provide liability insurance with up to $500,000 coverage, among other qualifications.

To learn more

Call the Shreveport Fire Department at (318) 673-6650 to learn how to sign up a child for swim lessons. A Stewart-Warner Project Swim website is in the works.