PHTA Central Arizona Chapter and Step Into Swim Donate $20,000 to Valley of the Sun YMCA

The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance Central Arizona Chapter, in partnership with PHTA’s Step Into Swim drowning prevention initiative, presented a $20,000 donation to the Valley of the Sun YMCA during a special event on April 30 at the YMCA Legacy Foundation Chris-Town. The contribution will directly fund swim lesson programs for children and families throughout Phoenix, helping increase access to critical water safety education and drowning prevention resources. 

The event brought together members of the Valley of the Sun YMCA, leadership from the PHTA Central Arizona Chapter and special guest Rowdy Gaines, three-time Olympic gold medalist, who leads the Step Into Swim initiative as PHTA’s vice president of partnerships and development.  

“Learning to swim is not just a life skill — it’s a lifesaving skill,” says Scott Bushey, president of the PHTA Central Arizona Chapter. “Through this partnership with Step Into Swim and the YMCA, we are proud to invest in programs that give children the confidence and ability to stay safe in and around water.” 

Drowning remains a leading cause of accidental death in Arizona, particularly among young children. Access to swim lessons has been proven to significantly reduce the risk of drowning, making community-based programs like those offered by the YMCA essential.  

PHTA formed the Step Into Swim drowning prevention initiative in 2012 and has gifted over 500,000 swim lessons to children and families across the country and abroad. “Step Into Swim receiving support from regional PHTA Chapters has a huge effect on individual communities and helps us focus our funding on the children and families who need it most,” Gaines says. “We are proud to work alongside the PHTA Central Arizona Chapter to help the Valley of the Sun YMCA expand the reach of their lifesaving mission, and we thank the local PHTA members who made this generous donation possible.” 

To learn more, visit stepintoswim.org.