The Mathews Family YMCA, in partnership with the Mathews Yacht Club and Mathews County Schools, recently provided water safety instruction through the Y’s Safety Around Water program to every second-grade student at Mathews Elementary School.

This free, two-week program featured eight in-water sessions, teaching skills that could save lives, especially in a county with extensive waterfront areas.

“Preventing drowning is a critical focus for the Y,” said YMCA Group Vice President Buzz Lambert. “Our commitment is to equip every second grader at Mathews Elementary with vital water safety skills, made possible through the generous support of the Mathews Yacht Club, school leadership, and our dedicated volunteers.”

Over the past decade, this program has empowered over 500 Mathews children with confidence and essential water safety skills, Lambert said. “Given the extensive waterfront in our county, these water safety skills are essential. Watching the children gain confidence and ...