Following the tragic, accidental drowning of her son Fitz Alexander Campbell Thomas, Pastor Michelle C. Thomas and her family have joined forces with Hope Floats Foundation to save the lives of others. The Fitz Scholars Fund at Hope Floats Foundation will raise money to provide lifesaving scholarships and expand access to swim lessons for children in need.
On June 4, 2020, Fitz Thomas was swimming with friends in the Potomac River in Leesburg, Virginia when he slipped underwater and drowned. The son of a dedicated civil rights activist and pastor, Michelle C. Thomas, Fitz lived his 16 years witnessing his mother’s devotion to God and her tireless advocacy for social change and racial justice. He learned early in life, and carried with him the notion that love and inclusion can truly make a positive difference in the lives of others.
The Fitz Scholars Fund at Hope Floats will raise funds to: expand access for children from disadvantaged families to participate in swim lessons; empower children to safely enjoy the water; and help to prevent this terrible tragedy from happening to other families across our country.
“The Fitz Scholars Fund at Hope Floats represents the best of what can happen when we rise to the challenges of our times,” said Pastor Michelle C. Thomas. She continued, “ I may not be able to bring Fitz back, but I can help save the lives of others."
“Although Pastor Michelle has lived every mother’s worst nightmare, she hasn’t given up hope. She and her family are dedicated to preventing this terrible tragedy from happening to others, “ said Cindy Tonnesen, Board Chair of Hope Floats Foundation and Co-Owner of SwimKids Swim School in Leesburg, Virginia. She shared, “The Fitz Scholars Fund at Hope Floats will embody Fitz’s values of love and optimism by saving the lives of countless children in his name.”
Drowning is the leading cause of accidental death for children under the age of 5 and the second leading cause of death for children under the age of 14. The equivalent of thirteen school buses full of children die each year in the United States due to drowning, and children from marginalized populations are more at risk. Children from low-income families have a higher risk of drowning, and Black children in the United States drown at rates as much as 5.5 times higher than white children. Studies show that swim lessons reduce the risk of drowning by 88%.
To make a lifesaving donation to the Fitz Scholars Fund at Hope Floats, visit: www.hopefloats.foundation/fitz A gift of $50 provides 3-weeks of swim lessons for a Fitz Scholar. A gift of $100 provides 6-weeks of lessons for a Fitz Scholar. A gift of $200 provides a full 12-week session of swim lessons for a Fitz Scholar.
If a child in your family, or a family you know, is in need of scholarships to attend swim lessons, Hope Floats is currently accepting scholarship applications. To learn more and apply, please visit: https://www.hopefloats.foundation/apply-for-assistance
Written by: Christy Bostic, Hope Floats Executive Director