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Fred Fisher Water Safety Program sponsored by Duke Energy

1-Mar-23-2026-02-29-10-3191-PM
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AN OLYMPIC EFFORT TO SAVE YOUNG LIVES

Fred Fisher Water Safety Program Sponsored by Duke Energy

During the 2022–2023 school year, CFY provided transportation for four Pinellas County elementary schools participating in the Fred Fisher Water Safety Program. Through partnerships with local community and city programs, children in kindergarten through second grade received a two-week water safety education program designed to build life-saving skills. By the end of the school year, nearly 1,300 children received more than 7,000 water safety lessons.

Why it's called "Fred Fisher Water Safety Program" 

Fred Fisher made a lasting impact on Pinellas County as a businessman, philanthropist and longtime volunteer. 

He helped establish what became CFY Pinellas, created to replace a discontinued city sports program and now offering year‑round athletics to thousands of children. In the late 1960s, he also united local families to form the Clearwater Swim Club, now known as the Clearwater Aquatic Team (CAT).

One of his most meaningful efforts was developing the Long Center. After losing his 4‑year‑old son, Mark, to a drowning accident in 1962, he committed himself to improving water safety education and expanding access to swim instruction. For five years, he served as the founder, lead fundraiser, and primary benefactor of the Long Center, envisioning it as a permanent home for CFY and CAT and a resource that would help prevent similar tragedies for other families.

OUR INITIATIVES

Title I Elementary Water Safety Program

Established in 2022, CFY launched the Title 1 Elementary Water Safety Program at Belleair and SkyCrest Elementary Schools. This water safety education program provides kindergarten through second-grade students with six structured water safety lessons over a two-week period, integrated into their scheduled PE days.

Through a partnership with Pinellas County Schools, CFY removes transportation barriers by providing school-to-pool transit, ensuring that every child has access to life-saving water safety skills.

Skycrest Elementary
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Skycrest

Skyview

Mount Vernon Elementary Logo
PinellasParkElementaryPrimaryLogoImage

Mount Vernon

Pinellas Park

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Eisenhower Elementary-1

McMullen Booth

Eisenhower

San Jose
Bellair

San Jose

Belleair

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The Results - Equipping Swimmers with Essential, Life-Saving Skills

Before the program:

0

of participating children were considered unsafe in the water

After two weeks:

0

of participating children were considered unsafe in the water

Swim Plate (1)

ANOTHER WAY TO PARTNER

1 LICENSE PLATE = 1 CHILD LEARNING WATER SAFETY

THANK YOU

CFY Network Water Safety Partners

IN THE NEWS

Receiving Local Recognition

Join Us in Making a Difference

The need is great, and CFY, together with its network of partners, is ready to expand this life-saving effort. Every dollar raised directly supports water safety education programs for Pinellas County children. Help us protect the next generation—because every child deserves the opportunity to be safe in and around the water.