Newsletters and Press Releases

Post Date: May 13, 2020

Michael Phelps Foundation Expands Children's Mental Health Program

Foundation Pledges Over $100,000 in Grants to Provide Social-Emotional Curricula to Boys & Girls Clubs of America for Children Returning to Clubhouses Across the Country

Panasonic Supports Foundation’s IM Program Grant Offering in Recognition of May as Mental Health Awareness & Water Safety Month

SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine, May 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — The Michael Phelps Foundation (MPF) and Panasonic Corporation of North America (Panasonic) today announced the expansion of the IM Program offering to Boys & Girls Clubs of America through the organization’s commitment of more than $100,000 in grants to provide social-emotional curricula as children return to Clubhouses across the nation.

In support of Mental Health Awareness Month (May) and increasing resources for mental health programming, MPF will provide Boys & Girls Clubs of America with the IM program’s social-emotional curriculum – IM Healthy – through a grant for Clubs with returning members. The lesson plans, created in partnership with Nemours KidsHealth.org, utilizes evidence-based practices and principles to build basic emotional skills that every child needs.

“IM Healthy is a simple and easy toolkit for teaching the emotional skills that help kids to do well. And in challenging times, kids need these skills even more,” says D’Arcy Lyness, PhD, child and adolescent psychologist and behavioral health editor for Nemours KidsHealth.org. “The lessons teach kids to know and name their feelings, be confident, notice good things, build grit and perseverance, and handle difficult feelings like nervousness or sadness. These are basic skills that every kid needs – now and as they grow.”

According to Dr. Lyness, children are more likely to have experienced feelings of anxiety and depression because of the isolation and disruption associated with the coronavirus.  In addition to the IM Healthy curricula, Dr. Lyness suggests parents incorporate these simple steps at home to help their kids build emotional skills:

• Ask your kids to tell you about a few of the best moments of their day.
• When your child shares good news, listen with your full attention and give a positive comment.
• When your child is upset, encourage her to say what’s wrong. Listen and understand first – then be soothing to help her calm down.

“We appreciate the commitment and support of Michael and his Foundation as the IM program provides Boys & Girls Clubs with a life skills curriculum that is valuable and easy to implement,” says Frank Sanchez, Vice President of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. “During these especially tough times, we are concerned about our kids’ emotional wellness and this added social-emotional learning support will be very beneficial as our Clubhouses begin to re-open.”

“I know how challenging times can really impact the mental health of adults, but children are affected by it too and we want to provide them with support to help them understand what they may be experiencing,” said Michael Phelps, Founder and Board President. “Good mental health is just as important as good physical health and the IM program provides social, emotional, wellness and goal setting lessons that they can utilize as they re-enter the comforts of their Clubhouses. While the summer months are approaching and we are all eager for life to return to normal, we want to remind children and adults of the importance of mental health and water safety.”

To help reach the goal of 100 Boys & Girls Clubs, MPF has partnered with technology company Panasonic to create better opportunities throughout local communities. Phelps and MPF are part of Team Panasonic, which embraces the spirit of contributing to society through purposeful action and innovation.

“The emotional and social development of children influences not just their happiness but what they can accomplish,” said Lauren Sallata, CMO of Panasonic Corporation of North America. “We are pleased to support the Michael Phelps Foundation in bringing IM Healthy to children across the country. Panasonic believes passion drives progress and has long invested in programs and institutions that support the development of students and youth and tomorrow’s workforce. Together, Team Panasonic aims to inspire today’s youth to dream big and to work hard to make those dreams come true.”

MPF launched IM in 2010 to teach children and young adults important life skills including water safety, physical and mental fitness, nutrition, and goal setting. With the uncertainty of swim lessons and programming due to the impact of precautions of the coronavirus, MPF has made the out-of-water components available to eligible Clubs who are able to implement the program following the Center for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. For more information and to apply for a grant, eligible Clubs can visit www.mpf.smapply.io.

May is also Water Safety Month and drowning is the second-leading cause of accidental death for children ages 1-4 according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). As families and communities begin to think about spending time in and around the water, MPF encourages parents and caregivers to follow the ABC’s of water safety:

• A – Adults: Constant adult supervision in and around water.
• B – Barriers: Maintain physical barriers in place such as pool fences and remove toys from the pool after each use.
• C – Classes: Enroll in learn-to-swim and CPR classes; swim lessons can reduce the likelihood of drowning by 88%.

“The drowning prevention community is on high alert for the upcoming summer months because children have not been participating in swim lessons,” said Cathy Bennett, Program Director at the Michael Phelps Foundation. “As restrictions lift, we all need to be mindful of the added excitement levels of children who may be willing to take risks they otherwise wouldn’t as they return to physical activities, especially in the water.”

About Michael Phelps Foundation
The Michael Phelps Foundation (MPF) is focused on promoting water safety, healthy living, and the pursuit of dreams, especially for children. Founded in 2008, MPF has provided learn-to-swim, healthy living, and goal-setting programming to more than 100,000 children and young adults around the world through strategic partnerships with the Boys & Girls Club of America, Special Olympics International, and the Level Field Fund. For more information, please visit: https://michaelphelpsfoundation.org

About Boys & Girls Clubs of America
For more than 150 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA.org) has enabled young people most in need to achieve great futures as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Today, more than 4,700 Clubs serve over 4.7 million young people through Club membership and community outreach. Clubs are located in cities, towns, public housing and on Native lands throughout the country, and serve military families in BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations worldwide. They provide a safe place, caring adult mentors, fun and friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours. Club programs promote academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. In a Harris Survey of alumni, 54 percent said the Club saved their lives. National headquarters are located in Atlanta. Learn more about Boys & Girls Clubs of America on Facebook and Twitter.

About Nemours KidsHealth^®
KidsHealth.org is the #1 site devoted to children’s health and development – in English and Spanish – reaching more than 235 million parents, kids, and teens each year. Part of the Nemours Center for Health Delivery Innovation, KidsHealth.org develops content and digital tools to engage and motivate families to get answers, help, and the care they need. Nemours KidsHealth also creates KidsHealth in the Classroom, a free website for educators featuring standards-based health curricula, activities, and handouts. For more information, please visit Nemours KidsHealth.org. KidsHealth comes from Nemours, an internationally recognized children’s health system that provides pediatric clinical care, research, education, advocacy, and prevention programs to families.

About Panasonic Corporation of North America
Newark, NJ-based Panasonic Corporation of North America is committed to creating a better life and a better world by enabling its business-to-business customers through innovations in Sustainable Energy, Immersive Entertainment, Integrated Supply Chains and Mobility Solutions. The company is the principal North American subsidiary of Osaka, Japan-based Panasonic Corporation. One of Interbrand’s Top 100 Best Global Brands of 2019, Panasonic is a leading technology partner and integrator to businesses, government agencies and consumers across the region. Learn more about Panasonic’s ideas and innovations at www.na.panasonic.com/us. Connect with Panasonic North America: Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube

SOURCE Panasonic Corporation of North America

Post Date: October 10, 2018

Michael Phelps Foundation and Nemours’ KidsHealth.org Launch Children’s Mental Health Program

Partnership expands im Healthy to incorporate mental health curricula in honor of World Mental Health Day

South Portland, Maine / Wilmington, DE (October 10, 2018) – The Michael Phelps Foundation and Nemours KidsHealth.org today announced the expansion of the Foundation’s im Program offerings to incorporate mental health lessons and activities in time for World Mental Health Day. The joint partnership is making the new im Healthy curricula available free of charge. All educators, after-school instructors, and child care centers can access the mental health program resources on KidsHealth in the Classroom at: https://classroom.kidshealth.org/classroom/index.jsp?Grade=cc&Section=ihmp

“Good mental health is just as important as good physical health. We are proud to offer our eight new lesson plans on emotional health to educators, day care providers, and parents so they can help their kids build inner strengths,” said Michael Phelps, Founder and Board President.

The Michael Phelps Foundation launched the im Program in 2010 to help teach children and young adults important life skills including water safety, physical fitness, nutrition, and goal setting. Developed in partnership with Nemours KidsHealth.org, im Healthy helps empower kids to live healthy, active lives. 

According to the National Association of Mental Illness (NAMI):

• • 1 in 5 children (ages 13-18) have, or will have, a serious mental illness
• • 50% of all lifetime cases of mental illness begin by age 14, and 75% begin by age 24

The im Healthy mental health lesson plans were created by the experts at Nemours KidsHealth.org and use evidence-based practices and principles to build basic emotional skills that every child needs. Each lesson provides a turn-key script, activities, and handouts that can be used by educators and after-school instructors.

“im Healthy is a simple and easy toolkit for teaching the emotional skills that help kids to do well,” says D’Arcy Lyness, PhD, child and adolescent psychologist and behavioral health editor for Nemours KidsHealth.org. “The lessons teach kids to know and name their feelings, be confident, notice good things, build grit and perseverance, and handle difficult feelings like nervousness or sadness. These are basic skills that every kid needs – now and as they grow.”

Dr. Lyness also suggests that parents can try these simple steps at home to help their kids build emotional skills:

• Ask your kids to tell you about a few of the best moments of their day.
• When your child shares good news, listen with your full attention and give a positive comment.
• When your child is upset, encourage her to say what’s wrong. Listen and understand first – then be soothing to help her calm down.
• • If your child is taking part in a program that offers these lesson plans, go over the take-home handouts and activities together. Ask your child to teach you about what he learned.

Parents and educators can have peace of mind sharing Nemours KidsHealth.org’s commercial-free and doctor-approved libraries for kids and teens. They offer tips on how to have a positive mindset, be resilient, and foster healthy relationships:

• Relax & Unwind Center for Kids
• Be Your Best Self for Teens
• Stress & Coping Center for Teens

“We commend Michael and his Foundation on the incredible work they are doing to promote mental health among children,” said Gina Altieri, Senior Vice President for the Nemours Center for Health Delivery Innovation – creators of the award-winning Nemours KidsHealth.org. “We have been longtime partners with the Michael Phelps Foundation and look forward to building upon our successful programming to continue fostering health habits for generations to come.”

To date, the Michael Phelps Foundation’s im Program has reached more than 22,000 people around the world through participating Boys and Girls Clubs of America sites and Special Olympics International teams.

Note: All information on KidsHealth in the Classroom and the im Program is for educational  purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.

About the Michael Phelps Foundation

The Michael Phelps Foundation is focused on growing the sport of swimming and promoting healthy and active lives, especially for children. Founded in 2008, the Foundation has provided their learn to swim, healthy living and goal setting curriculum to more than 22,000 people around the world by partnering with the Special Olympics and Boys & Girls Club of America. They also support the Level Field Fund – Swimming because opportunities to pursue excellence

in sport should not be limited by an athlete’s financial situation. For more information, please visit www.michaelphelpsfoundation.org.

About Nemours KidsHealth^®
KidsHealth.org is the #1 site devoted to children’s health and development – in English and Spanish – reaching more than 160 million parents, kids, and teens each year. Part of the Nemours Center for Health Delivery Innovation, KidsHealth.org develops content and digital tools to engage and motivate families to get answers, help, and the care they need. Nemours KidsHealth also creates KidsHealth in the Classroom, a free website for educators featuring standards-based health curricula, activities, and handouts. For more information, please visit Nemours KidsHealth.org.

About Nemours Children’s Health System

Nemours is an internationally recognized children’s health system that owns and operates the Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, Del., and Nemours Children’s Hospital in Orlando, Fla., along with outpatient facilities in six states, delivering pediatric primary, specialty, and urgent care. Nemours also creates the world’s most-visited website devoted to the health of children and teens, KidsHealth.org, and offers on-demand, online video patient visits through Nemours CareConnect.

Established as The Nemours Foundation through the legacy and philanthropy of Alfred I. duPont, Nemours provides pediatric clinical care, research, education, advocacy, and prevention programs to families in the communities it serves.

Michael Phelps Foundation   Media Contact: Drew Johnson     [email protected]

Nemours KidsHealth.org   Media Contact: Nancy D’Argenio     [email protected]

Post Date: August 25, 2018

POOL SAFELY AND THE MICHAEL PHELPS FOUNDATION HONOR A DECADE OF WATER SAFETY

The Organizations Co-Host Community Event to Teach Children to Swim and Reinforce Water Safety

Peoria – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CPSC) Pool Safely campaign and the Michael Phelps Foundation today honored the 10th anniversary of the Michael Phelps Foundation and the 10 years since the passage of the Virginia Graeme Baker (VGB) Pool & Spa Safety Act with an event promoting water safety.

At today’s event, CPSC’s Acting Chairman Ann Marie Buerkle and Michael Phelps delivered remarks about each organization’s decade milestone and the continued importance of water safety.

“As a result of the landmark VGB legislation, there have been zero drain entrapment-related deaths involving children in public pools and spas over the past decade,” said Acting Chairman Buerkle. “I’m honored to recognize this achievement, along with the achievements of the Michael Phelps Foundation and all our partners in the water safety community over the past 10 years. By working together, we will combat the public health crisis of fatal child drownings.”

“The progress our Foundation has made over the past decade is remarkable, but far too many children are drowning each year,” said Michael Phelps, President of the Michael Phelps Foundation. “We are proud to come together with Chairman Buerkle, Pool Safely, and other partner organizations to make a difference in the lives of children, helping them to learn how to have fun while being safer in and around the water.”

City of Peoria Mayor Cathy Carlat along with Melissa Sutton, President of the Drowning Prevention Coalition of Arizona and the National Drowning Prevention Alliance also gave remarks during the press conference lauding local and national water safety efforts while reinforcing the urgency of the issue.

Following the press conference, the organizations convened a water safety event which included a swimming lesson with children from the City of Peoria and a stroke clinic with participants in the Special Olympics of Arizona. Michael Phelps, along with Cathy Bennett, Program Director for the Michael Phelps Foundation and the swim instructor who first taught Michael how to swim, and World Champion Swimmer and Michael Phelps Foundation Advisory Council Member Allison Schmitt, led in-water activities that highlighted the elements of the Foundation’s signature im program.

Following the in-water activities, participants joined more than 200 young swimmers from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Phoenix and Colorado River for a community water safety event featuring water safety activity stations. To kick off the community event, Michael Phelps led children in taking the Pool Safely Pledge, which asks children to affirm that they will: never swim alone, ask parents for swimming lessons, and stay away from drains in pools and hot tubs. In addition to Pool Safely, Michael Phelps Foundation, and the City of Peoria, the community event featured other water safety organizations including: CPR Party, Drowning Prevention Coalition of Arizona, JCMF Children’s Charities, National Drowning Prevention Alliance, ZAC Foundation, City of Peoria Fire-Medical Department and Peoria Firefighters Charities.

Drowning remains the leading cause of unintentional death in children aged one to four with an average of  more than 350 children under the age of 15 dying each year in drowning incidents. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to follow Pool Safely’s simple steps that save lives around swimming pools and spas, including:

• Install a four-sided fence with a self-closing, self-latching gate around all pools and spas.
• Designate an adult Water Watcher to supervise children at all times around the water.
• Learn how to swim and teach children how to swim.
• Learn how to perform CPR on children and adults.
• Teach children to stay away from pool drains, pipes and other openings to avoid entrapments.
• Ensure every pool or spa has drain covers that comply with federal safety standards.

To learn more about Pool Safely or to Take the Pledge, please visit www.poolsafely.gov

About Pool Safely

Pool Safely, a national public education campaign supporting the requirements of Section 1407 of the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act, works with partners around the country to reduce child drownings, nonfatal drownings and entrapment incidents in swimming pools and spas. Parents, caregivers and the media are encouraged to visit: PoolSafely.gov or @PoolSafely on Twitter and facebook.com/poolsafely/ for vital safety information regarding the prevention of child drownings in and around pools and spas.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with the use of thousands of types of consumer products under the agency’s jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $1 trillion annually.

About Michael Phelps Foundation

The Michael Phelps Foundation is focused on growing the sport of swimming and promoting healthy and active lives, especially for children. Founded in 2008, the Foundation has provided their learn to swim, healthy eating and goal setting curriculum to over 20,000 people around the world by partnering with the Special Olympics and Boys & Girls Club of America. The Foundation also supports Level Field Fund – Swimming, which bridges the gap in funding for uniquely talented swimmers so their pursuit of excellence in sport is not limited by an athlete’s financial situation. For more information please visit: https://michaelphelpsfoundation.org

Post Date: May 20, 2017

Pool Safely and Michael Phelps Foundation Announce Partnership to Help Families Stay Safer In and Around Pools and Spas

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CHICAGO – At a poolside press event today, hosted at a Boys & Girls Club in Chicago, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CPSC) Pool Safely campaign and the Michael Phelps Foundation announced a new partnership focused on addressing a serious public health crisis: child drownings. Pool Safely and the Michael Phelps Foundation will collaborate to promote each other’s efforts to help prevent fatal and non-fatal child drownings in swimming pools and spas across the country. The Michael Phelps Foundation joins more than 1,000 Pool Safely partners that work together to educate individuals and families nationwide about the importance of being safer in and around the water.

“CPSC is excited to collaborate with the greatest swimmer in the history of the sport and his Foundation to help educate millions of Americans and their families about the simple water safety steps that can save lives,” said CPSC Commissioner Joseph Mohorovic, who participated in today’s event. “By working together in a public-private partnership, Pool Safely and the Michael Phelps Foundation’s im program will help kids have a safer time in and around the water, this summer and beyond.”

“We are pleased to partner with CPSC’s national drowning prevention campaign and continue to raise awareness for water safety initiatives,” said Michael Phelps, President of the Michael Phelps Foundation. “Our im program reaches thousands of youth and young adults year-round with water safety, wellness and goal-setting programming. The progress we have made to date is very encouraging, but we have more work to do. We are committed to helping people have a better understanding of how to be safer, yet still have fun, in and around the water. Join us – and other Olympic swimmers – in taking the Pool Safely Pledge!”

“New data from the Pool Safely campaign shows a 17 percent decline in fatal drownings in pools since 2010 among the most vulnerable population: children younger than five,” said CPSC Acting Chairman Ann Marie Buerkle. “We are making progress, but we need even more kids taking swim lessons, more adults serving as Water Watchers, more fences installed, and more people trained in CPR.  Today’s swimming lesson with Michael and his Foundation serves as a reminder of the importance of all children learning how to swim—no matter where they live or what their circumstance.”

At the partnership event, clinic participants received swim instruction, as well as learned about the importance of water safety. Children also took the Pool Safely Pledge, which affirms that they will: never swim alone, ask parents for swimming lessons, and stay away from drains in pools and hot tubs.

Since its inception in 2010, the Pool Safely campaign has developed a network of partners that serve as the lifeblood of the campaign. These groups include local safety organizations to national entities, such as the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Walmart, the American Red Cross, YMCA of the USA, the National Drowning Prevention Alliance and the Boy Scouts of America. Pool Safely partners have played a critical part in the campaign’s effort to increase awareness of water safety and prevent fatal and nonfatal child drownings and drain entrapments in pools and spas.

Pool Safely is CPSC’s public education and outreach effort to prevent drownings and entrapments in swimming pools and spas. The campaign provides a number of resources to help parents teach their children about water safety, including a new Kids Corner on the campaign’s newly designed website where parents will find:

• the Pool Safely Song, written and recorded by children’s performer Laurie Berkner;
• “The Adventures of Splish and Splash” smartphone app, available for free download on Android and Apple products; and
• the Pool Safely Pledge, with Pledges specifically designed for kids (adults should take their version as well).

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About Pool Safely    

CPSC’s Pool Safely campaign (www.PoolSafely.gov) is a national public education effort to reduce fatal child drownings, non-fatal drownings and entrapments in swimming pools and spas. The campaign focuses on populations most at risk of drowning: children younger than 5 years old (who represent nearly 75 percent of child drowning fatalities) and African-American and Hispanic children between the ages of 5 and 14, who, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drown at higher rates than white children. CPSC reports that annually there are more than 356 pool or spa-related drownings for children younger than 15.

Pool Safely, a national public education campaign supporting the requirements of Section 1407 of the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act, works with partners around the country to reduce child drownings, non-fatal drownings and entrapment incidents in swimming pools and spas. Parents, caregivers, and the media are encouraged to visit: PoolSafely.gov or @PoolSafely on Twitter for vital safety information regarding the prevention of child drownings in and around pools and spas.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with the use of thousands of types of consumer products under the agency’s jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $1 trillion annually.

About Michael Phelps Foundation

The Michael Phelps Foundation is focused on growing the sport of swimming and promoting healthy and active lives, especially for children. Founded in 2008, the Foundation has provided their learn to swim, healthy eating and goal setting curriculum to over 16,000 people around the world by partnering with the Special Olympics and Boys & Girls Club of America. They also support the Level Field Fund – Swimming, because opportunities to pursue excellence in sport should not be limited by an athlete’s financial situation. For more information please visit: https://michaelphelpsfoundation.org

Post Date: March 6, 2017

Michael Phelps and Jason Day join forces for A One of a Kind Celebrity Event: Pairing of Champions with Shared Passion for Golf.Give.Gala

Saint Charles, IL (February 21, 2017) – Michael Phelps, world’s most decorated Olympian, and Jason Day, world’s best PGA golfer, will join forces to host a Golf.Give.Gala to raise funds for their respective foundations – Michael Phelps Foundation and Brighter Days Foundation – in historic Saint Charles, Illinois on May 21 and May 22, 2017. Presented by ALE Solutions, the Golf.Give.Gala will be a star-studded gala, silent and live auction set along the Fox River in charming downtown Saint Charles and hosted at the historic Hotel Baker with a concert to follow at Chicago’s treasured Arcada Theater. The Celebrity golf outing will be held Monday, May 22nd at the legendary Saint Charles Country Club, a premier private 18-hole course, founded in 1924. The Golf.Give.Gala is not to be missed.

Net proceeds from the event will directly benefit the Michael Phelps Foundation and Jason and Ellie Day’s Brighter Days Foundation.

“Golf and giving back are two of my favorite passions and I’m excited to partner with Jason and his Brighter Days Foundation to host the Golf.Give.Gala. in a joint effort to raise money for two great causes,” said Michael Phelps.

“Jason and Ellie are humbled to have an opportunity to partner with Michael and the Michael Phelps Foundation to host the inaugural Golf. Give. Gala. that is presented by ALE Solutions,” said Bonnie Upright, executive director of the Brighter Days Foundation. “Our mission to improve the lives of others aligns perfectly with ALE Solutions’ corporate social responsibility platform. We are grateful for the support and look forward to an incredible event with Michael, and many of our friends from the world of sports and entertainment.”

For information about the event or sponsorship opportunities, visit www.golfgivegala.com or email Christa Landgraf, Co-Chairman at [email protected] or toll-free number at (855) 802-9842. Limited individual tickets to Gala and Concert will be available.

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ALE Solutions is the nation’s largest provider of temporary housing to families displaced by natural disaster. The company is celebrating its 16th anniversary and is opening a new 40,000 foot facility in Saint Charles, Illinois. ALE Solutions is the Title Sponsor and host of the Golf.Give.Gala.

The Brighter Days Foundation provides funding and resources to deserving projects and organizations in Central Ohio whose missions match Jason and Ellie Day’s desire to help families in need. Brighter Days Foundation exists to ensure that everyone has a chance for a brighter day and brighter future. Additional information is available at www.brighterdaysfoundation.com.

The Michael Phelps Foundation is focused on growing the sport of swimming and promoting healthy and active lives, especially for children. Founded in 2008, the Foundation has provided their learn to swim, healthy eating and goal setting curriculum to over 16,000 people around the world by partnering with the Special Olympics and Boys & Girls Club of America. They also support the Level Field Fund – Swimming, because opportunities to pursue excellence in sport should not be limited by an athlete’s financial situation. For more information please visit www.michaelphelpsfoundation.org

MEDIA INFORMATION

ALE Solutions: Randi Moxi – [email protected], (224) 938-0135
Michael Phelps Foundation: Drew Johnson – [email protected], (207) 274-2017
Brighter Days Foundation: Bonnie Upright – [email protected] (909) 955-1278

Post Date: December 21, 2016

Michael Phelps busy and at peace in first months of retirement

Post Date: Jun 28, 2016, 19:12 ET from Master Spas

Michael Phelps Swim Spa Challenge Draws Serious Attention at the U.S. Olympic Swim Trials

OMAHA, Neb., June 28, 2016 /PRNewswire/ — Michael Phelps Signature Swim Spas by Master Spas are once again drawing a sizable crowd with the Michael Phelps Swim Spa Challenge at the USA Swimming Aqua Zone, a 100,000-square-foot fan experience area outside the U.S. Olympic Trials-Swimming at the CenturyLink Center in Omaha. On just the third day of competition, over 900 swimmers have already taken the challenge.

In the Master Spas exhibit area, challenge participants swim against the current in a Michael Phelps Signature Swim Spa by Master Spas. “During the challenge, the current is set at the pace Michael Phelps uses for training, which is pretty fast, even for experienced swimmers. And he swims for 12 minutes at that pace,” stated Kevin Richards, Master Spas Vice President of Sales and Marketing.

Fans and swimmers alike take the Michael Phelps Swim Spa Challenge in the Master Spas Aqua Zone booth at U.S. Olympic Swim Trials.
Challenge participants enter the swim spa, and after a short warm-up, the spa propulsion system increases the current to Michael Phelps’s  training pace. Participants attempt to swim just three minutes. It’s a tough challenge, but some swimmers with excellent stroke technique and stamina have proven that they are up to the task.

“It’s fun to see a swimmer go up against Phelps and swim at his pace for the full three minutes,” stated Richards. “It’s quite an accomplishment, and it’s evident that they are well trained and motivated to achieve their goals.”

The swim spa used for the competition is the MP Signature, featuring the patented Wave XP Pro Propulsion System, which is the most powerful of the three Wave Propulsion™ Technology System options, all of which generate a smooth water current that is adjustable for individual resistance levels.

Richards summarizes: “Master Spas is committed to providing both fitness and competitive swimmers with the ability to train at home and achieve their goals. But there is nothing like taking the challenge to see how they stand up against one of the greatest swimmers of all time.”

In addition to fitness and competitive swimming, Master Spas, along with the Michael Phelps Foundation, are committed to addressing the need for water safety programming. Attendees can learn more about the Michael Phelps Foundation’s signature program – im – and Master Spas’s support of the Foundation, which has included the launch of the im program at the Boys & Girls Club of Fort Wayne.

The Michael Phelps Swim Spa Challenge is open to the public from June 26 through July 3, when the Olympic trials end. Master Spas expects that over 3,000 individuals will take the challenge during the event.

Those who can’t be in Omaha, but would like to see how they stack up against Michael Phelps, can visitwww.MichaelPhelpsSwimSpa.com and locate their nearest dealer.

ABOUT MASTER SPAS:

Master Spas is based in Fort Wayne, Indiana, 90 miles northeast of Indianapolis. Operating out of a state-of-the-art, 265,000-square-foot manufacturing facility on a 27-acre manufacturing campus, Master Spas is the largest portable spa, hot tub and swim spa manufacturer in the world with all products built in the U.S.A. The company’s management team boasts more than 150 years of spa manufacturing success and one of the strongest track records in the industry. For more information, please visit:www.MasterSpas.com.

ABOUT MICHAEL PHELPS FOUNDATION:

The Michael Phelps Foundation is a nonprofit organization focused on growing the sport of swimming and promoting healthy and active lives, especially for children. Michael Phelps established the Foundation with the $1MM bonus he received for winning eight gold medals at the 2008 Beijing Games. The Foundation, in partnership with KidsHealth and the Michael Phelps Swim School, has developed and launched the im program, which has reached over 15,000 Boys & Girls Club members and Special Olympics athletes with life-saving programming. They have also established the Level Field Fund-Swimming, a grant-giving program that provides funding to uniquely talented swimmers in need of financial assistance, and offers autographed swim caps for charity auctions through Caps-for-a-Cause. For more information, please visit us online athttps://michaelphelpsfoundation.org, www.facebook.com/MichaelPhelpsFoundation,http://www.instagram.com/MPFoundationand http://www.twitter.com/MPFoundation.

Photo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160628/384609

SOURCE Master Spas

Post Date: June 28, 2016

The Salvation Army Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Winston- Salem partners with the Michael Phelps Foundation and Chris Paul Family Foundation to teach kids to swim

Winston Salem, NC, June 21, 2016– The Salvation Army Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Winston-Salem have partnered with the Michael Phelps Foundation and Chris Paul Family Foundation to implement the im program, and offer swim lessons to over 100 members. Developed by the Michael Phelps Foundation, im is a multifaceted lineup of water safety instruction, recreational aquatic activities, structured and organized swimming, as well as health, wellness, and goal-setting education.

“Swimming is an essential skill for every child to learn,” stated Chris Paul. “Our family is excited to be working with Michael and The Salvation Army Boys & Girls Clubs to bring this opportunity to our hometown. We are thrilled for the opportunity to be working with the Michael Phelps Foundation and Chris Paul Family Foundation and bring this program to our kids,” said Sylvia Adams, Executive Director of The Salvation Army Boys and Girls Clubs.  “This program will help keep our Club members safe in and around the water plus provide them the knowledge to be fit and healthy while having fun at the same time.”

Launched as a national pilot in 2010, the im program is named in recognition of Phelps’ signature event, the Individual Medley, and as an abbreviation to the self-affirming “I am.”   It consists of five focus areas: im safe, im fun, im fast, im healthy, and im successful. Participants earn medals as they advance through the curriculum with the opportunity to earn eight medals upon completion of the entire program. The im program has reached over 15,000 children and young adults through a partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Special Olympics International. There are 36 Clubs implementing the program this summer/fall across 29 states nd over 200 Special Olympics teams in 34 countries.

“I was first introduced to the sport of swimming through water safety,” said Phelps, a 22-time Olympic medalist and Founder of the Michael Phelps Foundation. “I hated to get my face wet so I began to learn how to swim on my back, but with proper instruction, I learned to be comfortable and confidant in the water and my passion for swimming grew with each visit to the pool.  Now, we are able to offer children a program that will help them become water safe, set and achieve goals, and live healthier active lives.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drowning is the second leading cause of accidental death for children under the age of 14 and is the leading cause of accidental death for children ages 1 to 4. A 2008 survey conducted by USA Swimming and the USA Swimming Foundation determined that two key barriers preventing children from learning to swim were fear of injury or drowning, and the lack of parental encouragement. According to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, between 2008 and 2012, 138 children under the age of 18 died as the result of unintentional drowning in North Carolina.

Along with the world-class programming, the partnership provides financial support to assist with program costs including staffing, training, supplies and equipment. The Salvation Army of Greater Winston-Salem Boys & Girls Club will offer the im program this summer at Winston Salem State University. Program registration is currently underway and lessons will start on June 23rd.

About the Salvation Army

The Salvation Army, an International movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination. The Salvation Army was established in Winston-Salem in 1907 and serves more than 50,000 people in Forsyth, Davie, Stokes and Yadkin counties each year. The Salvation Army offers many programs including the only emergency shelter for homeless families in Winston-Salem, the only on-site breakfast feeding program in the community, a travel assistance program, and a program in conjunction with the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools to purchase new shoes for school age children called Happy Feet. The Salvation Army is a participating United Way agency. For more information about programs or to make a donation, visit www.SalvationArmyWS.org .

The Salvation Army of Winston-Salem, 901 N. Cleveland Ave, Winston-Salem, NC 27101 (336) 723-6366

About the Michael Phelps Foundation

The Michael Phelps Foundation is a nonprofit organization focused on growing the sport of swimming and promoting healthy and active lives, especially for children. Michael Phelps established the Foundation with the $1MM bonus he received for winning eight gold medals at the 2008 Beijing Games. The Foundation in partnership with KidsHealth and the Michael Phelps Swim School has developed and launched the im program which has reached over 15,000 Boys & Girls Club members and Special Olympics athletes with life-saving programming. They have also established the Level Field Fund-Swimming, a grant giving program that provides funding to uniquely talented swimmers in need of financial assistance, and offers autographed swim caps for charity auctions through Caps-for-a-Cause. For more information, please visit us online at www.michaelphelpsfoundation.org, www.facebook.com/MichaelPhelpsFoundation, www.instagram.com/MPFoundaiton and www.twitter.com/MPFoundation.

About The Chris Paul Family Foundation

In 2005, Chris Paul established the CP3 Foundation in honor of his late grandfather to provide scholarships for high school graduates to attend Wake Forest University. Chris’ emphasis on community has won the CP3 Foundation the NBA’s Community Assist Award five times. In 2015 the name formally changed to the Chris Paul Family Foundation. The foundation’s initiatives include partnerships with Feed The Children, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Boys & Girls Club, Habitat for Humanity and LA’s Best. The foundation also sponsors and supports computer lab refurbishments, youth basketball clinics, court refurbishments and adaptive athletic programs for special needs children. For more information please go to http://chrispaul3.com/foundation/.