CHANDLER - Drowning is one of the leading causes of death for children in the state of Arizona.
According to the U.S. Department of Health, putting your child in swim classes can help become a protective effect against drowning. Unfortunately, not everyone can afford lessons.
A 15-year-old year old girl from Chandler is trying to change that.
Spending all her summers by a poolside, is not at all uncommon for competitive swimmer Monique Girle.
“I’m going to use my pool in my backyard to [teach] swim safely,” said Girle.
The swimmer is giving kids lessons, at no cost-- an idea she came up with after seeing just how many children in her community either could not swim or were afraid of water.
“Underprivileged kids don’t’ have enough money for lessons and that’s why the drownings happen, they don’t have enough money or time,” said Girle.
Her mother and father stepped in to help as well.
“They (her parents) were like really? That’s a lot of work,” described Girle.
Girle formed the organization, Swim 50 USA to help teach children to swim at least 50 yards, which is all one needs to be able to swim safely.
She also wanted to build up their confidence and strength.
“Teaching them, you know, how to walk on the walls if they need to go to shallow water, doing bobs to get air,” said Girle.
The 15-year-old is diving head first, doing everything she can to tell people about the nonprofit, including her pit stop at the Today Show plaza and snapping a picture with Hoda Kotb.
“All kids need to learn how to swim, all adults need to learn that everyone wants to feel safe in the water,” said Girle.
If you want to sign up your child head to the Swim 50 USA website.