Global energy leader, Enbridge, awarded the YMCA of Metuchen, Edison, Woodbridge & South Amboy (MEWSA) a $15,000 grant through their Fueling Futures program to promote swim lessons and water safety within the community. Enbridge Fueling Futures supports local safety initiatives and organizations that help make our communities safer places to live.
At Enbridge, nothing is more important than safety— it’s at the heart of everything they do. For the Y, it’s about providing a safe place for neighbors and families to gather and connect so that all can prosper and thrive. Enbridge and the YMCA share this common bond, existing to help fuel the quality of life within communities. This generous donation in support of water safety will ensure that children and adults of all ages and financial abilities have access to programs created to prevent accidental drownings and other water-related injuries.
According to the American Red Cross, “Ten people die each day from unintentional drowning, and on average, 2 of them are under age 14.” Enbridge has already donated a total of $35,000 to three YMCA branches in the Northeast and is planning additional investments in water safety. “Enbridge is proud to support the YMCA’s efforts to promote water safety and make the communities where we live and work a safer place for all,” says Enbridge Manager of Stakeholder Relations Max Bergeron. Together we hope to reduce the risk of drowning by providing swim lessons and lifeguard training to those in need.
More than 100 years ago, the Y created the concept of group swim lessons and, to this day, teaches more than one million children invaluable water safety and swimming skills each year. As "America's swim instructor," the Y teaches children and adults of all ages and backgrounds that water should be fun, not feared, if you know how to stay safe in and around water.
Nine in ten U.S. parents see swimming as a critical life skill for children, on par with first aid skills or being able to prepare a simple meal. Yet three in ten state that water safety isn’t a priority due to affordability concerns. At the Y, we want to break down barriers of affordability. With the support of this grant from Enbridge, financial assistance will be provided to allow families the opportunity to sign up for swim lessons at a reduced rate and participate in our Safety Around Water program at no charge.
“At the YMCA of MEWSA, water safety and saving lives are essential to our mission. In 2022, we provided over 5,000 swim lessons across our branches and trained 265 individuals in lifesaving skills through lifeguard training,” says President & CEO Rose Cushing. The American Red Cross recognized the YMCA of MEWSA as a top training partner because of these efforts.
“It’s because of the foresight of donors like Enbridge, who take safety very seriously, that allows us to continue to offer swim lessons to all regardless of age or financial ability,” says Director of Development Elizabeth Bennett. “We look forward to continuing to help children and adults gain confidence around water, build self-esteem and stay safe.”
About the YMCA of Metuchen, Edison, Woodbridge and South Amboy
The Y is a cause-driven, charitable 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that fosters youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. We seek to impact the communities we serve through opportunities that make a positive difference by fostering well-being, teaching new skills and meeting individual needs. For 100 years, the YMCA has proudly served Metuchen, Edison, Colonia, Avenel, Perth Amboy, South Amboy, Sayreville, Piscataway and surrounding areas.
For more information about the YMCA of MEWSA, visit ymcaofmewsa.org or contact the Metuchen Branch at 732-548-2044, the Edison Branch at 732-494-3232, the South Amboy Branch at 732-553-9622 or the Piscataway branch at 732-562-2302.
About Enbridge Inc.
At Enbridge, we safely connect millions of people to the energy they rely on every day, fueling quality of life through our North American natural gas, oil or renewable power networks and our growing European offshore wind portfolio. We're investing in modern energy delivery infrastructure to sustain access to secure, affordable energy and building on two decades of experience in renewable energy to advance new technologies including wind and solar power, hydrogen, renewable natural gas and carbon capture and storage. We're committed to reducing the carbon footprint of the energy we deliver, and to achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Enbridge's common shares trade under the symbol ENB on the TSX and New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). To learn more, visit us at enbridge.com.