Julia Tassin, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Louisiana Marketing and Events Coordinator; Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter; Phillips 66 General Manager Scot Tyler; Phillips 66 Gulf Coast Public Relations Director Megan Hartman; Hannah Veazey, City of Lake Charles Assistant Director of Community Services; and Michael Castille, City of Lake Charles Director of Community Services. *Not pictured: Karen Hardy McReynolds, City of Lake Charles Area Programs Supervisor
Phillips 66 funds learn-to-swim scholarships
LAKE CHARLES, La., June 27, 2024 – Phillips 66, in collaboration with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Louisiana and the City of Lake Charles’ Parks and Recreation Department, is thrilled to announce a new initiative aimed at enhancing swim safety for local youth. This summer, Phillips 66 is providing a grant of $36,000 to provide learn-to-swim scholarships for 290 children enrolled in those summer camps, ensuring they gain essential swimming skills and water safety knowledge.
This initiative underscores Phillips 66’s commitment to community well-being, safety and social advancement. Recognizing the vital importance of swim education, especially in regions surrounded by water, the partnership aims to equip children with the skills necessary to enjoy water activities safely and confidently.
“As we dive into the summer season, we want to keep children safe around water. Phillips 66 hopes this community swim safety initiative will prevent drowning and raise awareness for swim safety. By partnering with the City of Lake Charles and Big Brothers Big Sisters, we hope to make a lasting impact on summer camp attendees by providing skills that can save lives,” said Megan Hartman, Phillips 66 Gulf Coast field communications director.
The City of Lake Charles’ Parks and Recreation Department, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Louisiana and Ward 3 Recreation will facilitate swim lessons at local community pools, offering a structured and safe environment for learning. The organizations identified participants and will provide ongoing support throughout the program. This collaboration ensures that the scholarships reach those who can benefit most, fostering a sense of community and inclusion. The learn-to-swim scholarships will cover the full cost of swim lessons, including instruction and necessary equipment.
“Over 90% of the youth we mentor do not have access to swim safety or swimming lessons. In the U.S., drowning is the third leading cause of death for youth ages 5-19. I am thankful to Phillips 66 and their commitment to swim safety by providing swimming lessons to our Summer Mentoring Academy Youth this Summer,” said Erin Davison, CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Louisiana.
“With the re-launch of our summer camp program over the past two summers it has been our goal to provide a safe environment for children and a camp experience that allows children to learn through play and hands-on experience. This new partnership with Phillips 66 is a dream come true. We are now further enhancing our camps with access to the life-saving skill of knowing how to swim. We thank Phillips 66 for their continued commitment to our community and know that all of our campers’ families are genuinely appreciative of this addition to our programming,” added Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter.
“The City of Lake Charles is proud to partner with Phillips 66 and other organizations to teach lifesaving skills that significantly reduce the risk of drowning. We want to make sure everyone feels safe around water. Safety around water goes beyond accident prevention; it’s about preserving the priceless gift of life,” said Karen Hardy McReynolds, City of Lake Charles Area Programs Supervisor.
A community swim safety fair is being planned at the Ward 3 Power Centre and Natatorium on July 17 at 5:30 p.m. where community members can learn tips for swimming safely. Details will be provided to the media at a later date.
Learn more about the community swim safety fair by visiting Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Louisiana’s website at www.bbbsswla.org.
About Phillips 66
Phillips 66 (NYSE: PSX) manufactures, transports and markets products that drive the global economy. The diversified energy company’s portfolio includes Midstream, Chemicals, Refining, and Marketing and Specialties businesses. Headquartered in Houston, Phillips 66 has employees around the globe who are committed to safely and reliably providing energy and improving lives while pursuing a lower-carbon future. For more information, visit phillips66.com or follow @Phillips66Co on LinkedIn or Twitter.
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