Funds raised through the 2026 Cody Pools Sunshine Classic Golf Tournament will support Baby Otter Swim School’s upcoming For the Spectrum initiative, helping create more opportunities for children on the spectrum and their families to develop water confidence, independence, and potentially lifesaving swimming skills.
At Baby Otter Swim School, our mission has always centered on helping save lives by giving children and families greater confidence, practical swimming skills, and water safety education. That mission becomes even stronger when businesses, families, and communities come together behind it.
We are incredibly grateful to announce that Cody Pools and American Pools and Spas have donated $41,181 to Baby Otter Swim School, with the funds raised through the 2026 Cody Pools Sunshine Classic Golf Tournament. More than a financial contribution, this generous donation reflects a shared commitment to water safety, family education, and creating meaningful opportunities for children throughout our communities.
$41,181 Raised Through the 2026 Cody Pools Sunshine Classic Golf Tournament
The 2026 Cody Pools Sunshine Classic Golf Tournament brought together employees, customers, sponsors, business partners, golfers, volunteers, and community supporters for a day focused on giving back. Through that collective effort, an incredible $41,181 was raised for Baby Otter Swim School.
On June 30, 2026, the donation was officially presented during a special check presentation celebrating the partnership and the community behind it. The contribution was later shared publicly through the official Cody Pools, American Pools and Spas, and Baby Otter Swim School donation announcement.
Importantly, this achievement belongs to everyone who helped make the tournament possible. From the organizers and sponsors to the golfers, volunteers, partners, and supporters, each contribution helped turn a community event into an opportunity to make a lasting difference.
You can learn more on the Cody Pools Sunshine Classic Event Page and the American Pools and Spas Sunshine Classic Event Page.
Supporting the Next Chapter: For the Spectrum
A significant focus of the donation will be Baby Otter Swim School’s upcoming For the Spectrum initiative. Designed to create more opportunities for children on the spectrum and their families, the initiative will help participants build water confidence, greater independence, and potentially lifesaving swimming skills.
Every child learns differently, which is why access to patient, individualized instruction can be so important. Through Baby Otter’s experience with special needs swimming lessons, our instructors understand the value of adapting instruction to the swimmer rather than expecting every child to learn in exactly the same way.
Additionally, a supportive one-on-one environment can give instructors the flexibility to respond to individual learning styles, comfort levels, communication needs, and progress. That approach is also central to Baby Otter’s broader commitment to private swim lessons, where each swimmer receives focused attention and instruction based on their needs.
As a result, For the Spectrum represents more than a single campaign or event. It is an opportunity to expand access, support families, and continue building pathways that allow more children to experience greater confidence and independence around water.
More Than Swim Lessons
Learning to swim is about more than mastering a physical skill. For many children, progress in the water can also help build confidence, independence, and a greater understanding of how to respond around pools and other bodies of water.
Baby Otter’s proprietary Turn, Kick, Reach® program focuses on practical skills that help swimmers learn how to orient themselves and move toward safety in the water. Alongside direct instruction, we also encourage parents to stay involved in the learning process so they can reinforce their child’s skills beyond the lesson itself.
Moreover, water safety is strongest when families use multiple layers of protection. Swim education is one important part of that wider approach, and community partnerships can help extend those educational opportunities to more families.
A Shared Commitment to Community
The support from Cody Pools and American Pools and Spas demonstrates what businesses can achieve when they invest in causes connected to the communities they serve. Their contribution also creates a meaningful connection between the pool industry and the importance of helping families build greater water awareness and swimming confidence.
As Melissa Prano, Operations Manager at American Pools and Spas, shared:
“Every child deserves the confidence, freedom, and safety that comes with learning to swim. We are honored to help not only teach a skill but also open a world of possibilities, build independence, and help save lives.”
Her message captures the heart of this partnership. Ultimately, creating safer futures around water requires education, community involvement, committed families, and organizations willing to work together toward the same goal.
Celebrating the People Behind the Donation
The check presentation brought representatives from American Pools and Spas and Baby Otter Swim School together to mark the $41,181 contribution. Susan Sharpe, Customer Service and Event Planning Coordinator at American Pools and Spas; Staci York of Baby Otter Swim School; and Melissa Prano, Operations Manager at American Pools and Spas, were pictured during the presentation.
Beyond the presentation itself, the Sunshine Classic reflects a much wider community effort. Those interested in seeing more from the tournament can explore the Cody Pools Sunshine Classic recap, read the American Pools and Spas Sunshine Classic recap, or watch the 2026 Sunshine Classic event video.
Looking Ahead to For the Spectrum
While the $41,181 donation marks an important milestone, it also represents the beginning of an exciting next chapter. Over the coming months, Baby Otter Swim School will continue sharing updates as For the Spectrum develops and as the initiative begins creating new opportunities for participating children and families.
In turn, the generosity behind the Sunshine Classic will continue to reach far beyond the golf course. Each new opportunity created through the initiative will reflect the support of the businesses, sponsors, golfers, volunteers, and community members who chose to contribute.
Thank You, Cody Pools and American Pools and Spas
From everyone at Baby Otter Swim School, we extend our heartfelt thanks to Cody Pools and American Pools and Spas for their generosity, partnership, and commitment to this mission. We are equally grateful to the Sunshine Classic organizers, sponsors, business partners, golfers, volunteers, employees, and supporters who helped make the donation possible.
Your support will help create more opportunities for children on the spectrum and their families to build water confidence, independence, and potentially lifesaving swimming skills. Together, we can continue working toward safer communities and stronger families, one swimmer at a time.
Learn More and Follow the Journey
To learn more about Baby Otter’s approach to water safety and swim education, explore our private swim lessons, learn about special needs swimming lessons, or discover how the Turn, Kick, Reach® program works.
You can also learn more about Baby Otter Swim School and our mission. For questions about programs, availability, or ways to support the initiative, contact Baby Otter Swim School.