Joey Pizzano Memorial Fund (JPMF) "Make a Splash" Program has provided lessons for over 3,500 individuals with disabilities.  Make a Splash offers children with special needs the opportunity to learn how to be safe and have fun in and around the water.  This program relies heavily on volunteers.  Volunteer “swim buddies” are paired with participants to ensure safety and that individuals needs are met.  This is a partnership between the Therapeutic Recreation Services Division and the Joey Pizzano Memorial Fund. Link to: http://www.jpmf.org/

Swim Buddies

The JPMF Make a Splash program relies heavily on volunteers. Volunteer “swim buddies” are paired with participants to ensure that varying abilities and individual needs are met. Swim buddies provide a sense of inclusion, which fosters diversity and enhances the community. Lifeguard certification will be funded by JPMF for those volunteers that commit for the entire swim session. The volunteer participation for an entire session not only provides the participants with consistency, but ensures that the community has more lifeguards who have experience working with children with special needs.

To participate as a JPMF “swim buddy” you must be...

• At least 13 years old.
• Enthusiastic and ready to make a difference.

Benefits of becoming a JPMF swim buddy:

• Volunteer Hour Requirements – Your hours as JPMF “swim buddy” can fulfill graduation and service requirements.
• Lifeguard Certification – JPMF will pay for your lifeguard certification in exchange for volunteering for an entire session
• Sensitivity Awareness – Swim Buddies see first hand the many wonderful abilities that people with disabilities have. Future lifeguards understand how to help children of all abilities at the pool
• Character Building – As a swim buddy, you can build self esteem, independence and responsibility for others
• Personal Satisfaction – genuinely feel the reward of making a difference in someone’s life

Participating sites and schedules for the Make a Splash Progam

Session 1
Dates:                   October 11, 18, 25, & November 1, 2008
Locations:              Oak Marr RECenter
                            Providence RECenter
                          *Lee District RECenter
                            

Session 2
Dates:                    November 22 & December 6, 13, 20, 2008
Locations:               Oak Marr RECenter
                             Providence RECenter
                           *Lee District RECenter
                            

Session 3            
Dates:                   January 17, 24, 31 & February 7, 2009
Locations:              Oak Marr RECenter
                            Providence RECenter
                          *Lee District RECenter
                            

Session 4
Dates:                    February 28 & March 14, 21, 28, 2009
Locations:               Oak Marr RECenter
                             Providence RECenter
                           *Lee District RECenter
                            

*All sessions run from 1 to 3 p.m., except the Lee District RECenter hours are from noon to 2 p.m.

For a copy of the JPMF Make a Splash Activity Guide call 703-324-5712, TTY 711.

To participate in the program or volunteer to become a Swim Buddy, contact Devin Thornton at 703-324-5712, TTY 711 or e-mail:  devin.thornton@fairfaxcounty.gov. .