June 25, 2026

My Lap Swimming Journey and the Mary Chris Kay Aquatics Fund

My Lap Swimming Journey and the Mary Chris Kay Aquatics Fund
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In this episode of The Perrysburg Podcast, I share the story of how a foot injury led me to become a lap swimmer at the Fort Meigs YMCA at age 35 — and how that journey introduced me to my swim coach and friend, Mary Chris Kay.

Mary Chris helped me learn how to “speak swim,” build confidence in the water, and become part of a swim community at the Y. She has taught kids, coached adults, encouraged beginners, supported competitors, and helped make the pool feel like a place where people belong.

I also talk about the newly created Mary Chris Kay Aquatics Fund, which honors Mary Chris and gives community members a way to support swimming and aquatics programs at the Fort Meigs YMCA.

Links from this episode

Mary Chris Kay Aquatics Fund https://form-renderer-app.donorperfect.io/give/ymca-and-jcc-of-greater-toledo/endowment-gift-donation-form

Fort Meigs YMCA https://www.ymcatoledo.org/branch/fort-meigs/

The Greater Toledo Community Foundation https://toledocf.org/