Vote now! Swim Lesson Activist Wanda Butts nominated as CNN Hero!

In 2006, Wanda Butts received a phone call that no parent ever wants to get.  Her 16-year old son, Josh, had drowned.

Like his mother, Josh had never learned the lifesaving skill of learning how to swim.  In fact, 70% of African-American, 60% of Latino/Hispanic and 40% of Caucasian children have low or no swimming ability, according to a study commissioned by the USA Swimming Foundation and conducted by the University of Memphis.

Wanda Butts wants to change that.  In 2007, she founded The Josh Project.  Determined to turn tragedy to triumph, Wanda has partnered with a USA Swimming Foundation Make a Splash Local Partner to provide low-cost swimming lessons ($10 for four sessions) to children in Toledo, Ohio.  As a result of her tireless efforts, more than 1,000 children in her community have learned to swim.

Wanda has been chosen by CNN as a finalist for their 2012 Hero Awards, which recognize “everyday people changing the world.”  If chosen, The Josh Project will receive $250,000 to further the amazing work that The Josh Project is doing in their community.

Please vote now!  It’s free to vote, and will only take 2 minutes of your time.  You can vote up to 10 times daily, so vote early and vote often!  And don’t forget to share Wanda’s incredible story via your social networks.

Together, we can help provide $250,000 to The Josh Project—an organization that truly embodies the mission of the USA Swimming Foundation to save lives and build champions—in the pool and in life!

Thanks in advance for your support, and congratulations to Wanda on her nomination!