Cody Pools and American Pools donate $41,181 to Baby Otter Swim School

Cody Pools and American Pools and Spas raised $41,181 through the 2026 Sunshine Classic Golf Tournament for Baby Otter Swim School. The money will support Splash for the Spectrum, an effort to expand swim instruction for children on the autism spectrum and those with diverse learning needs.

Why it matters: - The donation will help Baby Otter Swim School expand life-saving swim education for children on the autism spectrum and children with diverse learning needs. - The funding supports Splash for the Spectrum, a program aimed at improving water safety access for families who may face extra barriers to specialized instruction. - Baby Otter has spent more than 50 years working to reduce childhood drownings through swim education.

What happened: - Baby Otter Swim School announced a $41,181 donation from Cody Pools and American Pools and Spas. - The money was raised through the 2026 Sunshine Classic Golf Tournament. - The check was formally presented on June 30, 2026. - The presentation celebrated a shared focus on water safety, community partnership and support for children and families across Florida.

The details: - Baby Otter Swim School uses its Turn, Kick, Reach® program to provide private, mobile swim instruction. - The program is designed to build confidence and water safety skills for children, adults and people with diverse learning needs. - The Sunshine Classic Golf Tournament brings together employees, customers, sponsors, business partners and community supporters. - The tournament raises funds for organizations that serve Central Florida. - Melissa Prano, operations manager at American Pools and Spas, said every child deserves the confidence and safety that comes with learning to swim. - Mindy York, president of Baby Otter Swim School, said the donation will create more opportunities for children and families while expanding life-saving swim education. - The official check presentation included Susan Sharpe, Melissa Prano and Staci York, director of operations for Baby Otter Swim School.

Between the lines: - The donation shows how local business partnerships can fund targeted safety programs without relying only on public or nonprofit grants. - The focus on autism spectrum support suggests Baby Otter is trying to reach children who often need more individualized instruction. - The event also reinforces the Sunshine Classic as a fundraising vehicle for community programs beyond the pool and the golf course.

What's next: - The donation will help fund Splash for the Spectrum as Baby Otter expands access to specialized swim education. - Baby Otter says the partnership will support safer communities by helping more children build water safety skills. - More information is available through Baby Otter Swim School, Cody Pools Sunshine Classic, and American Pools & Spas Sunshine Classic.

The bottom line: - The $41,181 gift links a community fundraising event to a specific safety mission: helping more children learn to swim and reducing drowning risk.