Meet Tina. Tina Burton has volunteered with the SPLASH 3rd Grade Swim program for 14 years. SPLASH provides free swimming lessons to many 3rd grade classes in the Everett School District. The program began at Hawthorne Elementary and has now expanded to five elementary schools. During the school day, students take buses to the Y for lessons. Students learn essential water safety skills – how to stay safe in and around water – building confidence and reducing the risk of drowning. Thanks to volunteers and Community Campaign donors, many students gain access to SPLASH, which more some is their only opportunity to receive water safety education.  

“Knowing we’re helping keep kids safe is rewarding,” said Burton. “But perhaps the most amazing outcome their teachers share is the confidence boost they see when the students realize they can conquer a new environment, like the pool. The teachers see a real change in how the students positively approach their entire school day.” 

In the pool, Burton sees daily successes as the students’ progress through the program.  

“Children afraid to let go of the pool wall on the first day are cannonballing during free swim on the last day,” said Burton. “This is why, even after retiring, I still volunteer with the program. It offers so many benefits at no-cost to the students.