By Joe Chiarella. Photos by Aboobarley Photography
The Nicholas Dworet Memorial Fund Inc. is a 501c(3) non profit charity organization focused on helping make the world around us a better, happier place. Their mission is to keep Nick Dworet’s memory alive by helping kids learn how to be better swimmers! Nick, who lost his life in the MSD tragedy on February 14, was always helping his friends and teammates be better. He wouldn’t have it any other way. Future swim clinics will provide FREE instruction to middle and high school aged boys and girls. We also provide assistance to families that need access to swimming lessons through various partners in the area. In addition, we plan to provide college scholarships to swimmers at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School and other organizations.
The event held on September 30th was the first free #Swim4Nick clinic. It was held at the Coral Springs Aquatic Complex where Nick spent years becoming a better swimmer. It was a perfect venue to hold it. The CIty was generous to allow us to use the pool and were very helpful during the event. Nick‘s parents, Annika and Mitch Dworet, were thrilled with the turnout for this first clinic. Mitch said, ”Nick was a very big mentor to people… He loved swimming. He was very successful, and he would pass along things that he learned to others who were trying to improve.”
The event had approximately 100 swimmers from elementary, middle, and high school. Some were beginners and others were experienced club swimmers. Coaches from local swim clubs including TS Aquatics, ECAC, as well as several high school coaches volunteered their time. In addition, college coaches from Nova Southeast University and Lynn University were in attendance.
The event was intended to keep Nick’s memory alive and impart his love for swimming. Captain of the Douglas high school swim team, Nick earned that honor by, not only being a great athlete, but by being a great teammate who was always there to help his fellow swimmers improve. Also a water polo player for Douglas, in the pool, Nick was a true competitor and showed good sportsmanship win or lose. He was well respected by everyone who knew him. Before his life was taken in February, Nick was looking forward to fulfilling his commitment to the swim team at the University of Indianapolis.
It was a wonderful event that had swimmers from all over South Florida join together and swim for someone they may or may not have known, but loved in their own way.
For more info please visit our website www.swim4nick.org and follow us on social media @nicholasdworetfund.
