05/04/2026
Yesterday at Brigantine Aquatic Center we had our largest evaluation for the Stanley's Special Friends Program. 21 children with varying ASDS, CP, and sight and hearing disorders. 21 parents, 7 ethnicities, that will forever be grateful for our mission, for our donors, and for the inclusion and acceptance that the program provides.
I can not thank my staff and the new generation of Greenheads Swimming team volunteers enough for the job they did yesterday. The success of the program lies in the hands of the volunteers and I am so excited to see the team stepping up.
Something very magical happens at our pool on Sunday from 11- 1230. The children particpate in a 4 week water safety program geared toward lifesaving skill if they were ever to wander into water. At the conclusion of the 4 weeks they are able to join as Stanley's Special Friends members and continue their weekly swim lessons, and eventually join our Special Olympics swim team. There are currently 37 year round members, some that have been spending Sundays with music since 2017.
But thats not the magic, the magic is watching the parents from week one to week four.
They come in scared, nervous, and somewhat distrusting. A lot of them can't sit down and none of them take their eyes off their child- especially if they fear water themselves. But as the program progresses, they start to relax, they see the progress and they get to share that hour on Sundays with other parents, from different cultures, different walks of life, that have the same trials and tribulations that they go through daily.
Watching this over the years, seeing how many of our Stanley's Special Friends famlies have become friends has been an honor. And our very own Karyn Adams- the mother of Stan, whom the program is named after, has been a mentor to these parents.
So what's the magic? It is seeing the parents sit down.
If anyone ever wants to volunteer, or sponsor a swimmer, DM Sari Swims
