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Marist Senior Recognized For Volunteer Efforts

Will Herbert worked to provide a water safety instruction program for underserved children.


Marist senior Will Herbert was one of three students honored in the 2012 Teen Volunteer of the Year contest by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Greater Atlanta Chapter.

Herbert was awarded second place for his work to design and implement a week-long water safety instruction program for underserved children.

As an avid competitive swimmer, Herbert was motivated to help while researching potential Eagle Scout projects. He uncovered statistics showing a high instance of accidental drownings in minority communities.

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In response, Herbert became a Red Cross-certified lifeguard, designed a survival skills swimming curriculum, and worked with a Catholic Charities outreach program to recruit participants.

He secured the pool at Marist for the lessons; raised funds for and managed the logistics for the students’ transportation; as well as recruited, trained, and managed a team of volunteer swim instructors. In 2011, they taught 22 children to swim. In his second year, partnered with  Catholic Charities’ Refugee Youth Summer Camp and taught 15 refugee children.

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