“There’s a lot of noise in the world, and you can feel powerless. But we decided a few years ago that we can make a difference in our community. We can help, participate, and do what we can to make it vibrant. You can either be frustrated by what’s happening in the world, or you can help. If everyone did that, it’d be a different world.” - Coach Rick Fria
We’re lucky to live in Pierce and Kitsap Counties, surrounded by the beautiful Puget Sound and its many harbors, bays, inlets, rivers, and lakes. But with that beauty comes risk.
Across the United States, drowning is the leading cause of death for children under five, and in Washington State, it’s the second leading cause of death for children under 14. It’s a startling reality, but something our community can address together.
At the YMCA, Safety Around Water (SAW) education is a vital part of keeping kids safe. SAW teaches children critical skills like how to float, tread water, and reach safety if they fall in unexpectedly. These lessons don’t just build confidence; they save lives.
So when Coach Rick Fria, a longtime YMCA member and volunteer, realized that his granddaughter’s second grade class at Olalla Elementary wasn’t part of the YMCA’s SAW program, he didn’t wait for someone else to step in.
He did it himself.
Turning Ripples into Waves
Olalla Elementary sits just miles from the water, yet many of its students have never learned to swim. With over a third qualifying for free or reduced-priced meals, access to swimming lessons or trips to the pool are simply out of reach.
Coach Rick, who serves on the Advisory Council at Tom Taylor Family YMCA (TTFY), saw an opportunity. The Y runs SAW for the nearby Peninsula School District, but Olalla, located in the South Kitsap School District, wasn’t included.
Working with Efrain Gonzalez, Executive Director at TTFY, Rick helped identify a week in April where the Y could host Olalla’s entire second-grade class for SAW. The staff said yes. The school said yes. But getting the kids there was another story.
Transportation costs and logistics for a four-day field trip added up quickly and were a big ask for a small school. But Rick wasn’t deterred. He helped raise $3,000 from local Olalla businesses and personally contributed alongside a fellow Advisory Council member to ensure every student could participate.
“Washington is fifth in the country for child drownings,” Rick added. “When I mention that in fundraising, people get it. They want to help.”
What started as one volunteer’s idea became a coordinated effort between the YMCA, the school, small businesses, and community donors.
Safety, Fun, and a Few Cannonballs
For many of the students, this field trip wasn’t just their first time at a YMCA; it was the first time someone taught them what to do if they fell into water unexpectedly. Students learned how to float, how to reach safety, and how to stay calm in an emergency.
It’s surprising how many kids live near water but have never had swimming lessons,” Rick said. “It’s dangerous, but avoidable. We mix fun with safety, like seeing who has the best cannonball and water exit.”
One Volunteer Impacts a Whole Community
Rick’s deep commitment to the Y and his community made this possible. He’s been a coach, a volunteer, a donor, and a mentor at the Y, Olalla Elementary, and the broader community.
And when a roadblock like transportation costs came up, he didn’t stop. He mobilized local businesses, leveraged his YMCA network, and personally filled the gap. The funding didn’t come from a grant or initiative; it was just Coach Rick and his commitment to helping kids in his community.
“We have over a dozen schools participating now,” said Rick. “Teachers love it, the kids love it. It costs nothing except transportation, and we can cover that if needed.”
Local Solutions with Lifesaving Results
Many schools across Pierce and Kitsap counties face the same barriers as Olalla Elementary. But the model Rick created is scalable: a field trip, a donor-supported ride, and an open YMCA door.
With the right support, more local classrooms can experience the same life-changing programming. It’s a simple formula that can make a lasting impact, one community at a time.
Safety Around Water teaches more than swim skills. It provides the confidence for kids to feel safer in the communities where they live and play.
One volunteer’s idea can serve as a blueprint for what’s possible when a community works together. It’s the kind of ripple that leads to a wave of change.