GEHA and The Hunt Family Foundation announced this week that they will jointly fund swimming lessons for children in Haughton, Louisiana — the hometown of Kansas City Chiefs RB Joe Delaney.
June 29 will mark 40 years since Delaney sacrificed his life in an attempt to save three children from drowning. In remembrance of Delaney, each GEHA and the Hunt Family Foundation will give $5,000 to the Delaney 37 Foundation, which was founded by Delaney’s family members to provide mentorship and education, including programs for water safety, financial literacy and leadership for the children in and around Haughton.
According to the press release, the funds from GEHA and the Hunt Family Foundation will be used to provide swimming lessons and aquatic safety programs to Haughton and the surrounding communities in Louisiana.
“If my dad saw a need, he was going to step in and help,” said Joanna Noel, youngest daughter of Joe Delaney and Delaney 37 Foundation leader. “My father would be proud of the work that is being done in his name by GEHA and The Hunt Family Foundation to make swimming safer for many families.”
This will effectively act as an extension of the Joe Delaney Learn to Swim Program, presented by GEHA, which launched with the YMCA of Greater Kansas City last year. The support from both GEHA and the Hunt Family Foundation allowed 650 additional students to receive swimming lessons and equipment at five Kansas City metro YMCA locations.
“The work that the Joe Delaney Learn to Swim Program, presented by GEHA, has done in our community to address water safety and access is truly inspiring,” Chiefs President Mark Donovan said. “To be able to work alongside our partners at GEHA, as well as Joe’s family, to launch the program with the Delaney 37 Foundation in his hometown and the surrounding areas speaks to the commitment of GEHA and the Hunt Family Foundation and further honors Joe’s heroic actions.”
