by Kay Lynn on September 1, 2010
My 1-year-old grandson has been taking infant swimming classes like the kids of Steve @Brip Blap. He thought maybe some Americans don’t know how to swim because they live in city. I don’t think that’s the reason. It is more likely because of their socioeconomic background.
Just like my grandson, my siblings and I took swimming lessons; just at an older age. I didn’t know anyone that could not swim. That changed when I joined the Navy at the advanced age of 19.
Navy Swimming Challenge
One of the essential tasks in boot camp was to be able to swim across an Olympic size pool after jumping off a high diving board.
The purpose is to see if you could survive, at least a while, in the case of falling off or abandoning a ship at sea. Some girls never could make it across the pool and were literally booted out of the Navy because of it. Most of these were African Americans from poorer backgrounds. They didn’t have the benefit of childhood swimming lessons and trips to the ocean.
In case you think it is because of race alone let me tell you about my grandmother. She never learned to swim until she was 40 years old. Grandma never did become a great swimmer but she was able to enjoy the pool and beach the next 40 years of her life.
Doing Something About It
Cullen Jones, Olympic Gold Medalist, is African American and addressing the disparity. He traveled the country this summer with his Make a Splash initiative promoting low cost and free swimming lessons.
His goal is to give all kids swimming skills regardless of their ethnic or economic situations. His personal story of near drowning as a child showcases the importance of kids being water safe.
——$$$$$——
Although all Americans are rich compared to many countries, it doesn’t seem that way when you learn there are so many people that don’t know how to swim or kids that have never been to the local zoo (let alone an amusement park).
Are there other life skills poor children don’t learn?
photo credit: spilltojill
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by Kay Lynn on August 31, 2010
One of the sponsors I met during BlogHer ’10 was Avery Dennison at the
Social Luxe Lounge event. They contacted me recently about hosting a back to school giveaway featuring a gift basket (similar to the picture below) filled with Avery Dennison supplies such as NoteTabs, hi-liters, glue sticks, binders, and more.
Avery Celebrates Teachers
As you know, with school cutbacks many teachers are forced to either spend their own money on supplies or go without. In fact, studies by the non-profit organization World Vision show that teachers spend an average of $500 of their own money each school year on supplies.
Avery Dennison is helping out with their “Avery Celebrates Teachers” sweepstakes. Encourage teachers (including homeschooling parents) to apply soon as the sweepstakes closes on September 15, 2010. Read the complete rules for more information on requirements.
Prize packages include:
- One (1) grand prize package, which includes: a goodie bag of Avery products valued at $500; a SpaFinder gift card valued at $350; and a Starbucks gift card valued at $150
- Three (3) second prize packages valued at $200 each
- Five (5) third prize packages valued at $80 each
Encourage teachers (including homeschooling parents) to apply soon as the sweepstakes closes on September 15, 2010. Read the complete rules for more information on requirements.
Box Tops for Education
You can also support schools through Box Tops for Education. Avery is the only school and office supply manufacturer that participates in this program. When you purchase select Avery school supplies for the new academic year you also receive Box Tops coupons to clip and return to participating schools to be redeemed for cash. Each school then uses the cash at their discretion to purchase new supplies, fund programs, or buy much-needed equipment, computers, etc. To learn more, visit www.avery.com/btfe.
Back to School Giveaway
There are four ways to enter the giveaway. For each entry, complete the form (click refresh to get it back). Comments left on the post will not be entered.
1. COMMENT: Enter your favorite way to save money on back to school in the form (MANDATORY)
2. SUBSCRIBE: Subscribe to Buck$ome Boomer and complete the entry form saying you subscribe.
3. TWITTER: Tweet the giveaway and complete the entry form (no more than once a day).
4. BLOG: Include the giveaway in a post on your blog linking to this article and complete the entry form.
The Rules
This giveaway is open to those 18 or older and U.S. residents only. Entries close on September 6th at noon Pacific Time and the winner will be selected via random.org. If there is not a response within 48 hours to request for mailing address another winner will be selected. Remember to leave an email address that you’ll be checking.
NOTE: I didn’t receive any compensation for this post other than the opportunity to give the gift basket to one reader.
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