Aaron’s Kids Swim Program launched with family’s gift to the Y

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(YMCA photo: L-R, Raymond Mann, Kathryn Mann, Allison Wherry, Josh Sutton)
Thanks to the West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor) for sharing the news that the legacy of a favorite Y staffer will live on, as an endowment started by his family, who presented the launch donation this week (photo above). Here’s the announcement from the Y:

An endowment fund is being established in remembrance of Aaron William Mann. Aaron was an employee and volunteer of the West Seattle YMCA and previously worked at YMCAs in Anchorage and Colorado Springs. During his more than 20 years at the Y, Aaron was a lifeguard, swimming instructor and a teacher of thousands of kids, families and members. More than anything, Aaron enjoyed teaching and being around “his kids,” and had a special gift for turning their hard work into fun. Aaron taught them swimming and water safety skills, along with life skills. Aaron’s Kids Swim Program is intended to honor his memory and continue his loving support of Y kids.

Aaron’s parents, Kathryn and Raymond Mann, are establishing the endowment fund with an initial donation of $20,000. The purpose of the fund is to “Provide scholarships to kids and families for participation in the West Seattle YMCA aquatics programs.” Scholarships will be awarded to kids and families to offset the costs of swim lessons and aquatics activities. Funds may also be use to purchase aquatics equipment, particularly to meet the needs of kids’ swim programs.

The Mann family has also pledged to match the first $10,000 of incoming donations to the fund and to actively solicit continuing donations to the fund, with a first-year goal of a $50,000 endowment. Once established, the program will be managed andadministered by the West Seattle YMCA. All donations will be tax deductible in keeping with the YMCA’s non-profit status.

Thank you to the Mann family for their generous endowment and also for helping us keep Aaron’s spirit of service alive in all of us.

Aaron Mann was just 44 when he died this past June. Contact the Y for information about donating to the new program.

evergreen November 22, 2014 (9:31 pm)

What a beautiful thing to do.

Mike November 22, 2014 (9:58 pm)

Fantastic idea and a great way to remember somebody who gave so much to everyone around. After reading the memorial site details on his background and all he did, I think we could all benefit from being more like Aaron. Learning to swim is so vital around here, it’ll potentially save your life and the life of others around you. I applaud his family for doing this. Awesome, just awesome.

Karla November 23, 2014 (1:50 am)

Just found out about Aaron’s passing. He was my son’s swim instructor at the Y for many seasons and we always aligned our schedules to make sure the boy would be in Aaron’s class. He was very kind and a gentle soul, and will be missed.

WSince86 November 23, 2014 (8:09 am)

I wish I had known him! I feel like I missed out on seething very special.

Randal November 23, 2014 (11:15 am)

Very sorry to hear of Aaron’s passing. He taught my daughter to swim, and was incredible with the kids. They always had fun, but he somehow managed to get them to learn at the same time. We loved running into Aaron in West Seattle, or on the ferry, he invariably had a happy positive attitude. He will be missed. Are there more details on contributing to this fund?

Joleen November 23, 2014 (4:41 pm)

Hi Randal,
If you would like to make a contribution to Aaron’s Kids Swim Program, please contact Maria Groen, our Development Director, at 935 6000 or mgroen@seattleymca.org.
Thanks for your support!

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