Swim with Purpose

03/16/2026

On Friday, March 13th in partnership with the Lexington YMCA, we conducted swim lessons and water safety instruction for 60 4th graders from Frankfort Independent Schools. There were many success stories of kids who couldn't swim or float before they came, but by the time they left the were swimming basic freestyle and breaststroke! Thanks to the YMCA and the volunteers who did a great job with the children.

About 50 fourth graders from Frankfort’s Second Street Elementary School traveled to the North YMCA in Lexington for water safety instruction ahead of the upcoming pool season.

01/22/2026

Last week Swim With Purpose was represented in Antarctica as Sam Taylor, Chairman of Swim Purpose, took the polar plunge into water that was 34 degrees F!

Please take 30 seconds of your time today to go to our website and sign our letter of support to Gov. Beshear.

www.swimwithpurpose.org

10/13/2025

Here is the final day of swimming lessons. What an improvement!! So thankful for the YMCA and the great instructors they provided.

10/13/2025

In partnership with the Lexington YMCA, Swim with Purpose hosted a week of swim lessons for eight third grade students from Frankfort Independent Schools. These students chose to spend their Fall Break for 5 days of swim lessons. All of the kids were beginner swimmers. During this week all the children improved tremendously under the teaching of two great instructors. Here are two clips from the classes. The first one is from day one. The second is the last day of class.

09/23/2025

Yesterday Swim With Purpose hosted 115 2nd and 3rd graders at the North Lexington YMCA for introductory swimming skills and water safety instruction. We got coverage from 3 major networks and Spectrum cable. The event was a huge success. We are thankful to the YMCA for their support!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdwdtflajjk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmoLDs8uL04
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7A7qqkg3TTM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhcEhGjdfRc

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09/15/2025

Swim With Purpose is excited to announce an partnership with the YMCA to provide Fall swimming and water safety lessons to the 2nd and 3rd graders at Frankfort Independent School. Approximately 115 children will participate in this program. For more details check out the press release:

Swim With Purpose and YMCA of Central Kentucky Provide Free Water Safety and Swim Lessons to Students at Frankfort Independent Schools Published: September 10, 2025 Frankfort, KY — September 10, 2025 — For the first time in Frankfort history, Swim With Purpose, a charitable initiative dedicated ...

08/25/2025

Exciting news from our latest podcast episode! 🎙️ Meet Ann Hartley-Smith, our newest board member, and her daughter, Gray. Their story is truly inspiring - Gray, a resilient young lady, overcame a challenging illness and is now on the path to the 2028 Paralympics in Los Angeles! 🌟 Tune in to hear their incredible journey and be motivated by their determination and strength. Listen to the full episode here:

08/05/2025

Swim With Purpose is honored by be a beneficiary of Bourbon on the Banks Bourbon Festival for the 2nd straight year. Please read the exciting news about our participation below.…

Swim With Purpose Named 2025 Beneficiary of Bourbon on the Banks for Second Consecutive Year Published: July 22, 2025 Bourbon on the Banks Festival Frankfort, KY — July 22, 2025 — Swim With Purpose (SWP), a charitable initiative dedicated to raising $1M for the restoration of the indoor aquatic ...

07/28/2025

Today Swim With Purpose was featured in the Frankfort State Journal. Please help spread the word and go to our website to sign our Letter of Support.

In April, the charitable initiative, Swim With Purpose, marked two years since it began efforts to raise $1 million to restore the indoor aquatic facility at Kentucky State University’s William

06/30/2025

We are excited to announce that Ann Hartley-Smith has joined our Swim With Purpose Board. Ann is well known and highly respected in the Frankfort community. Her daughter, Emma, is a super successful paraplegic swimmer. Last week she competed in the Para Nationals and set a US record in the 50 back! Emma is aiming for the 2028 Olympic in Los Angeles.
Here is the link to the press release:

05/15/2025

Last Thursday, Swim With Purpose was at J Mattingly for a bourbon tasting. We sampled many different bourbons that all were all tasty, but our Board came to a consensus on our favorite which we bottled for our donors to SWP. Special thanks to J Mattingly and Cameron, VP of J Mattingly, for their support of our mission. And thanks to our generous donors for your continued support!!