HEAT Teams Up With The American Red Cross For Summer Long Campaign

MIAMI, April 2 – The Miami HEAT has teamed with the American Red Cross and the City of Miami to host the 6th Annual April Pool’s Day on Monday, April 2 at José Martí Pool in Miami at 3:00 p.m. José Martí Pool is located on 351 SW 4th Street in Miami. The event kicks off a summer long “Learn to Swim” community swim safety campaign. HEAT players Wayne Simien and Michael Doleac, along with the HEAT Dancers, will get into the pool with children from City of Miami Parks and Recreation for a special swimming lesson. The Xtreme Team will also be in attendance to provide entertainment from 2:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

HEAT Community Affairs Liaison Wali Jones, City of Miami Commissioner Joe Sanchez and a representative from the American Red Cross will be guest speakers at the event followed by the ceremonial lifesaver toss into the pool to officially launch the swimming season.

The HEAT will distribute a water safety awareness PSA, starring HEAT All-Star Center Shaquille O’Neal. In addition, the April 8th HEAT home game versus the Charlotte Bobcats will be “Water Safety Awareness Night,” where fans in attendance will be offered a $10 off swimming lesson coupon to be redeemed at select authorized providers of Red Cross swimming lessons. To learn more about the HEAT Learn to Swim campaign or to watch the water safety awareness PSA, visit HEAT.com.

With an abundance of bodies of water and residential swimming pools, the state of Florida ranks first nationally in drowning fatalities for children under the age of five. Florida’s overall drowning death rate is twice the national rate in all drowning fatalities, and Miami-Dade County leads the state. This effort will launch a community-wide water safety awareness campaign that will continue through the summer months. The Miami HEAT and the American Red Cross stress the importance of learning to swim through a summer tour at pool locations throughout Miami-Dade and Broward counties.