Dr. Phillips Charities awards $2 million to the YMCA of Central Florida
Capital improvements to the Dr. P. Phillips YMCA Aquatic Facilities given to honor World Drowning Prevention Day
ORLANDO, Fla. (August 17, 2023) — Dr. Phillips Charities announces a $2 million grant award to the YMCA of Central Florida for capital expenses to enhance the aquatics facilities at the Dr. P. Phillips YMCA in recognition of drowning prevention.
“Dr. Phillips Charities has supported the YMCA of Central Florida since 1954 and was proud to help fund the creation of the Dr. P. Phillips YMCA in 1983 as a cornerstone of the Dr. Phillips community,” says Ken Robinson, president and CEO of Dr. Phillips Charities. “We look forward to working with the Y to envision new ways for the Dr. P. Phillips Y to serve the community by providing increased opportunities for children and families to live healthy, connected and successful lives.”
The enhancements to the Dr. P. Phillips Y aquatic facilities, including improvements to the signature “Red Rocket” slide, zero-entry pool area with water features, and surrounding pool deck, will begin in the fall and are expected to be completed in time for the 2024 summer season. The adjacent lap pool will remain seasonally available to provide members with continued access to recreational and lap swimming, aquatic classes and swim lessons.
“We are deeply grateful to Dr. Phillips Charities for their steadfast commitment to enrich communities and keep kids safe in and around water through their generous support of the Y,” says Kevin Bolding president and CEO of the YMCA of Central Florida. “Florida leads the nation in drowning-related deaths of children ages 1 to 4. This much-needed grant will enable the Y to improve areas of our aquatic facilities so that we can continue serving families and teaching life-saving swim lessons.”
About Dr. Phillips Charities
The Dr. Phillips name has been a major economic and philanthropic presence in the Central Florida community since the turn of the 20th century. Dr. Phillips Charities (Dr. Phillips Inc. and The Dr. P. Phillips Foundation) uses the earnings from its investment and real estate income to give financial assistance to hundreds of charities serving primarily in Orange and Osceola counties. Dr. Phillips has contributed more than $222 million in grants, pledges and program-related investments to Central Florida charities responding to the needs of the community and directly touching the lives of thousands of children and families. Learn more at www.DrPhillips.org.
About the YMCA of Central Florida
Driven by its Christian mission, the YMCA of Central Florida serves as a leading 501c(3) nonprofit committed to strengthening the community. The Y empowers everyone, no matter who they are or where they’re from, by ensuring access to resources, relationships, and opportunities for all to learn, grow and thrive. By bringing together people from different backgrounds, perspectives, and generations, the Y’s goal is to improve overall health and well-being, ignite youth empowerment and demonstrate the importance of connections in and across Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Brevard, Lake, and Marion counties. To learn more, visit ymcacf.org.
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