Turning Tragedy into Triumph: Stew Leonard Jr.'s Crusade for Water Safety

Stew Leonard Jr., the president and CEO of the Stew Leonard's supermarket chain, has dedicated his life to promoting water safety for children after the devastating loss of his own son. Decades after the tragic drowning of his 21-month-old son, Stew Leonard III, Leonard Jr. has made it his mission to educate parents and save lives through his Stewie the Duck Swim School.

Empowering Parents, Saving Lives: Stew Leonard Jr.'s Lifesaving Mission

Turning Personal Tragedy into a Lifesaving Crusade

In 1989, Stew Leonard Jr. and his wife, Kim, suffered an unimaginable loss when their young son, Stew Leonard III, drowned in a pool while under the supervision of several adults. This devastating event became a turning point in Leonard Jr.'s life, propelling him to dedicate himself to preventing similar tragedies from happening to other families.Recognizing the alarming statistics that drowning is the leading cause of death for children aged 1 to 4, Leonard Jr. knew he had to take action. He began speaking out, urging parents and caregivers to be vigilant and prioritize water safety for their children. "Put your cellphones down. You are the lifeguard. Watch those kids. Don't let them out of your sight when you're around the water," he passionately advises.

Establishing the Stewie the Duck Swim School: A Legacy of Water Safety

Determined to turn his family's tragedy into a positive force for change, Leonard Jr. founded the Stewie the Duck Swim School in Norwalk, Connecticut, in 2021. Named after his late son, the swim school is located right across from the flagship Stew Leonard's grocery store, serving as a constant reminder of the importance of water safety.The Stewie the Duck Swim School is more than just a place to learn how to swim; it's a hub of water safety education and awareness. The school offers lessons for children as young as 6 months old, teaching them the essential skills to stay safe in and around water. "We're teaching 1,000 kids a week. We're giving 1,000 lessons every week," Leonard Jr. proudly states, revealing that the school has already taught a quarter of a million young children how to swim.

Empowering Underserved Communities: The Stew Leonard III Water Safety Foundation

Recognizing the financial barriers that can prevent some families from accessing swim lessons, Leonard Jr. established the Stew Leonard III Water Safety Foundation. This nonprofit organization channels the profits from the Stewie the Duck Swim School to provide free lessons to children living in underserved communities."It's like Robin Hood," Leonard Jr. explains. "We have parents coming in who can afford to spend the money to teach the kids how to swim. We take all the profits that we get from the swim school right here and that goes into our school under the third Water Safety Foundation."The foundation's mission is to "save a life one lesson at a time," and it has already raised over million, providing 250,000 swim lessons in partnership with YMCAs, Boys & Girls Clubs, community centers, and other youth-serving organizations.

Expanding the Reach: A Second Stewie the Duck Swim School on the Horizon

Driven by his unwavering commitment to water safety, Leonard Jr. has plans to open a second Stewie the Duck Swim School location in Clifton, New Jersey, in the near future. This expansion will allow the organization to reach even more families and children, further spreading the message of water safety and providing life-saving swim lessons.The Stewie the Duck Swim School's impact extends beyond just teaching children how to swim. It has become a beacon of hope and a testament to the power of turning personal tragedy into a force for good. Leonard Jr.'s dedication to his mission has inspired countless families, and his work continues to save lives, one lesson at a time.