Holly Tree Members Steven & Leslie Scott

Helping Prevent Childhood Drowning

Charity Fundraiser May 22 at GottRocks

Cheryl P. Allen (special to the Greenville News)

Leslie Scott placed her hand over her chest with an empathetic look as she spoke about a topic dear to her heart. It's hard to handle the thought, much less read about it in the news. Nevertheless, children drownings are a reality.

For Leslie and her husband, Steven, it's a heart-breaking moment to hear about anyone drowning, especially if it could have been prevented. Steven & Leslie Scott are passionate about their mission to increase water-safety awareness and help provide more access to swimming lessons for at-risk and underprivileged youth in the Upstate communities.

"Establishing a childhood connection to water is so important", said Steven Scott, Executive Director for Upstate Splash Charity, a local 501c3 nonprofit. Teaching children how to be safe swimmers, he said, leads to adults appreciating an important skill that can be passed on to future generations. "These children we are influencing can be role models for their peers along the way. Our approach is to be advocates for the children," Steven said. "Let's get them when they're young."

The Upstate Splash Freestyle Jam charity fundraiser is scheduled May 22 at Greenville's premier music venue GottRocks from 5:30pm to 10:00pm.

Supporting event sponsors include; Quest Brewery Co., Fete, Upstate Pool Management, Great Upstate.com, Greenville Splash, The Trough Boys, Smoke N Brew and GottRocks.

In conjunction with local musician, Charles Hedgepath, the Upstate Splash Freestyle Jam will include food, spirits and great musical sounds of bluegrass, jazz, folk and rock by the following musicians: Col. Bruce Hampton, Reverend Jeff Mosier, Yonrico Scott, Jeff Sipe, Darby Wilcox, Sam Kruer and many more to come.

Come out and support a great cause!

(tickets can be bought online or day of event)