Goldfish Swim School Wraps Holiday Fundraiser, Brings Total USA Swimming Foundation Donation to $220,000

TROY, MI – World Champion Swimmer Ryan Murphy will be taking a break from his 2020 Summer Olympics training to visit the Lee Family, made up of four children ranging two-years-old to seven-years-old, who are members of Goldfish Swim School and the official randomly selected grand prize winners of the brand’s recent holiday giveback sweepstakes. The Gift the Gold Medal Experience fundraising campaign raised nearly $10,000 to benefit the USA Swimming Foundation, which now brings the brand’s total ‘Float It Forward’ donation to $220,000.

As an official partner of the USA Swimming Foundation, the philanthropic arm of USA Swimming, the leading premier learn-to-swim franchise brand has committed to raising $1 million for the foundation’s ‘Make a Splash’ initiative by 2024. The organization supports swim lesson providers with resources, materials and grant funding to allow for the opportunity for every child across the country to learn to swim.

The campaign ran throughout the holidays (November 1, 2019 – January 5, 2020) where nearly 1,000 Goldfish Swim School members purchased tickets for their chance to win an afternoon with World Champion and Goldfish Swim School Brand Ambassador Ryan Murphy. The top fundraising school Goldfish Swim School – Wyckoff, NJ raised $4,000 with its sister school, Goldfish Swim School – Closter, NJ bringing in $2,000, increasing their chances to have a special visit from Murphy. The Lee Family have four little swimmers, and the children are eagerly looking forward to their day with Murphy – swim lessons, lunch, and a Q&A session to ask their most pressing questions. Runner up prizes included pool parties and Goldfish Swim School swag.

“I can’t wait to fly out and meet with the Lee Family at Goldfish Swim School - Closter,” said Murphy. “This is what it is all about – being able to do what I love while giving back to such a great cause. Every dollar raised through the ‘Float It Forward’ campaign helps provide the opportunity for children across the country to learn to swim and be safer in and around the water, and I'm so appreciative of all of the generous donors who support this mission.”

As drowning remains the number one cause of injury-related death among children ages 1-4, Goldfish Swim School and Ryan Murphy are committed to making a positive impact to help lower these staggering statistics through their joint work with the USA Swimming Foundation. Since sharing the news of the brand’s charitable partnership at its 2018 franchise conference, Goldfish Swim School has donated more than $220,000. Its ‘Float It Forward’ fundraising campaign was recently recognized by the International Franchise Association, receiving the “Franchising Gives Back Gold Newcomer Award” for outstanding contributions to the community.

“It has been such an honor to watch our franchisees, team members, and the communities we serve rally around this cause,” said Chris McCuiston, CEO & Co-Founder of Goldfish Swim School. “Our partnership with the USA Swimming Foundation only continues to strengthen, and with the support of Ryan Murphy, we’re able to really make a difference in the lives of families and children across the country.”

Goldfish Swim School provides swim lessons and water safety instruction to infants and children ages four months to 12 years, teaching more than 138,000 children how to be safer in and around the water. Each school offers swim lessons and programs using a proprietary philosophy, The Science of SwimPlay®, to build life skills both in and out of the water using play-based learning in a fun and safe environment. The franchise network spans more than 97 locations across North America, and each school’s number one focus and main priority is always the same – educating children on water safety while teaching them how to swim and respect the water.

About Goldfish Swim School

Founded by husband and wife team Chris and Jenny McCuiston, Goldfish Swim School provides swim lessons and water safety instruction to infants and children ages four months to 12 years. Classes are offered by specially trained instructors in a safe, child-friendly and fun environment using their research-based philosophy called The Science of SwimPlay®. Goldfish currently teaches more than 138,000 students per week to swim and be safer in and around the water. Headquartered in Troy, Michigan, Goldfish Swim School was established in Birmingham, Michigan in 2006, and opened its first franchise location in 2009. Recently, the brand was recognized by Entrepreneur in its 2019 Franchise 500 ranking and Inc. Magazine’s 2019 Top 5000. Goldfish Swim School is currently in the process of expanding franchise opportunities throughout North America, with 97 schools open, and an additional 100+ in development in more than 34 states and Canada.

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