July 29 , 2021 The Beacon • 9
Volunteers help make swim lessons successful
By Josie Sellers
Mary Lou Heller was happy to be back at the pool helping with swimming lessons .
“ It makes me feel good to know that maybe I might be able to help somebody save their life someday ,” she said . “ I enjoy being able to make a difference in someone ’ s life .”
Heller has helped with swimming lessons for 35 years and is now a water safety instructor .
“ I ’ ve been through this with my kids and now my grandkids ,” she said . “ I think everyone needs to learn how to swim .”
Her grandchildren , Evan Edwards , 5 , and Lily Edwards , 8 , took
Josie Sellers
Tina Aronhalt helped Luke Dunfee , 5 , practice floating on his back .
lessons at Lake Park and were with her on July 21 at the pool in Warsaw .
“ I had fun at lessons ,” said Lily Edwards , who has participated in the program before .
She enjoyed learning the back glide , and her brother liked learning the front glide .
“ I feel more confident ,” Evan Edwards said .
Volunteers like Evan and Lily ’ s grandmother are a key part of making swim lessons successful . Martha Bradford and her
Josie Sellers
To keep up to date on news about swim lessons , visit www . saferkidsclub . com . Lessons this year were only open to students who had registered before the 2020 session was canceled due to COVID .
family also have been a part of the program for years .
“ Swim lessons are very important ,” she said . “ I love to watch the kids learn to swim and see their accomplishments , their reactions and their smiling faces . You can
see the progress in two weeks .”
Bradford helped check students in with the help of her granddaughter , Tavia Cooper .
“ I did swim lessons , and it ’ s fun helping now ,” Cooper said . “ I love helping and love watching the kids .”
To keep up to date on news about swim lessons , visit www . saferkidsclub . com . Lessons this year were only open to students who had registered before the 2020 session was canceled due to COVID .
Josie Sellers
Mary Lou Heller , pictured standing outside the pool , shared some tips with swim lesson participants on July 21 .
BF-00523520