Phillips 66 continues to provide free swim lessons for children

Pictured with the swim students and lifeguards are Darin Fields, Manager Ponca City Refinery (on the right) Eric Newell, Parks and Recreation Director, far left, and Brook Lindsay, Kaw Lake Educational Foundation.

Phillips 66 is entering its 50th year with the USA Swimming Foundation Make a Splash.

In 2013, Phillips 66 brought the Make a Splash program to Ponca City and for three years offered scholarships for children to learn to swim. It was through this partnership that Everyone in the Pool evolved into the program now administered by the City of Ponca City Parks and Recreations Department.

Phillips 66, in partnership with Kaw Lake Education Foundation, provided funding for the City of the Ponca City’s aquatic group to provide free swim lessons for 300 children.

In addition to free swim lessons, each attendee received a logo beach towel from Phillips 66.

“Safety at Phillips 66 is a core value and we recognize that teaching children basic water safety is important and could one day save a life,” said Darin Fields, Manager of the Ponca City Refinery. “Our sponsorship of Everyone in the Pool reaches all children across the community and allows them to take lessons.”

According to national statistics only 20 percent of children who come from households whose income is less than $50,000 know how to swim, and that of the approximately 10 unintentional drowning deaths each day, two who die are children 14 years old and younger.

“To date, more than 225 lessons have been offered and will rise to 300 lessons by the completion of this program,” said Stacie Hobbs, RecPlex Aquatic Coordinator. “Children have learned to swim and/or basic water safety thanks to the generous donation to the EIP by Phillips 66. We are very appreciative of Phillips 66 and their commitment to safety. EIP is an important program for our community and our children”.