MARYSVILLE – The Marysville/North County Family YMCA received a donation of 30 personal floating devices, worth $1,000, through a grant from West Marine.

The personal floating devices will be used in YMCA swim lesson programs and provide a safe option for visiting groups with participants who do not meet the height or swim test requirements.

“This donation is a generous addition to our program and greatly enhances our ability to thoroughly cover boating safety within our swim lesson curriculum,” said Mary Bredereck, associate executive director for the Marysville YMCA. “Many children do not own their own lifejackets and are therefore unable to participate in the boating safety component unless the YMCA can provide the appropriate equipment. We are excited that we will now be able to provide a comprehensive water safety course through our program.”

In YMCA aquatics programs, children learn to be safe around water and and are encouraged to feel the sense of accomplishment that comes with learning something new. Youth progressive swimming uses a problem-solving, guided-discovery teaching approach in a positive, caring environment. YMCAs have traditionally been places where young people have learned not only swimming skills, but also the importance of playing safely in the water to prevent injury.

The Marysville/North County Family YMCA is located at 6420 60th Dr. NE.