The Bates County Youth Advocacy Council will once again sponsor the Pool Pals program. The program, in its 7th year, provides season pool passes to children who either cannot afford to swim or have special needs or considerations.
“Last year, we were able to buy season passes for 57 children,” said Dennis Page, President of the BCYAC. “That was because of the generosity of the businesses, organizations, and people of Bates County.” BCYAC serves as a link by gathering donations for the pool passes and then providing them to children in the community. Page adds that a list of children is compiled and then given to the BCYAC and the council works its way down the list as money comes in. “We trust the groups that give us the names of these children,” said Page. “They know the children and know their needs.”
In a 2010 follow-up survey, parents wrote: “My children had the chance to do something we couldn’t afford…swim every day. It was great for them!” “My child thought this was the best summer of his life. I had lost my job and we couldn’t even afford to go once without this.” “My daughter lost 30 pounds this summer because she went to the pool…she looks good.” “We can’t afford swim lessons, but because my kids could go every day, they learned to swim really ‘good’. They even could dive off the diving board…”
If you are interested in sponsoring a child, an individual pass costs $70, a family of two costs $140, a family of three costs $180, a family of four costs $220, and a family of five costs $260. According to Page, “We take any donation amount…whether you just have $5 to donate or want to sponsor an entire family. We work it out by combining donations or buying family passes…whichever way we can send the most children.”
If you are interested in donating to the Pool Pals program, you can mail your donation to BCYAC, P.O. Box 466, Butler, MO 64730. Thank you for supporting our youth!
-our thanks to Dennis Page, President, BCYAC, Inc.
