Angels of America’s Fallen Launches New Potentially Life-Saving Children’s Swim Initiative
“Lessons from Lylah” to Fund Swim Lessons for Children of America’s Fallen Heroes
Angels of America’s Fallen (AOAF) is proud to announce the launch of “Lessons from Lylah,” a new impactful initiative that facilitates free and potentially life-saving swim lessons for the children of America’s Fallen military and first responders. “Lessons from Lylah” is inaugurated in honor of Lylah Gavulic, a precious two-year-old drowning victim and daughter of fallen Air Force Master Sergeant Josh Gavulic. Heartbreakingly, Lylah’s drowning in her family pool in 2015 occurred just 13 months after her Special Operations father died in the line of duty during a training accident.
To achieve the program’s goal of making swim-lessons available to all children of America’s fallen heroes, AOAF is working directly with other organizations and swim facilities across the country to place these amazing children in swim classes within their own communities.
Prior to her death, Lylah was on AOAF’s waiting list to receive direct financial support for a healthy and developmental activity of her choice.
“The loss of Lylah impacted all of us at Angels of America’s Fallen very deeply,” said Joe Lewis, Founder and CEO of AOAF. “Out of that emotion, we decided to develop a proactive national swim initiative that also honored this adorable young girl.”
“Lylah was a vivacious and amazing young girl—and we are all deeply moved by this new program named in her honor,” said Alyssa Gavulic, Lylah’s mom. “I think she would be very pleased that a program bearing her name might help save children’s lives.”
Backed by vital partners like the National Swimming Pool Foundation’s successful Step Into Swim™ Campaign, Angels of America’s Fallen is diligently working to place the children of America’s heroes in swim classes across the country.
Families seeking swim lessons or organizations/swim facilities wishing to join “Lessons from Lylah,” should visit www.aoafallen.org/lessons-from-lylah for more information.
The Story Behind “Lessons from Lylah”
About Angels of America’s Fallen
Founded in 2012, Angels of America’s Fallen (AOAF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to help the children of America’s fallen military and first responders develop into strong and successful adults by granting funds and/or supplies for positive mentoring and developmental activities such as sports, art, or music during their most crucial developmental years (from the time of loss through age 18). Rather than applying a blanket program, and regardless of the cause of the parent’s death, AOAF is organized around providing opportunities and support that is based on the unique needs and interests of each child. For more information, please visit www.aoafallen.org.
