WORCESTER, Mass. — Jennifer, Jayla and Jovan Familia spent Sunday on a shopping spree at Amazon’s 4-star store in Millbury.
Six months ago, Worcester Police Officer Manny Familia died while trying to save a 14-year-old from drowning.
On Sunday, Amazon's 4-star store donated $10,000 to the Manny 267 Foundation, which is raising money to buy swimming tubes for police departments across the country and to teach kids how to swim in Worcester. The Familias also got a shopping spree at store.
What You Need To Know
- Worcester Police Officer Manny Familia died while trying to save a 14-year-old from drowning in June
- His family got a shopping spree at Amazon’s 4-star store in Millbury Sunday
- Two $10,000 donations were given to the Manny 267 Foundation and the Boys and Girls Club of Worcester
- The money will help with swim lessons for kids
“It's going to be an incredibly difficult holiday season for the them," said Amazon spokesperson Caitlin McLaughlin. "I think this is our way of trying to give them a little bit of joy."
“We just saw the devastating loss that happened in June," McLaughlin added. "We wanted to do something for the Familia family and also their mission, in working to prevent another tragedy like this and hoping that no other family has to know their heartbreak."
A $10,000 donation also went the to the Boys and Girls Club of Worcester, which is establishing The Officer Familia swim fund and using the money for free swimming lessons and lifeguard training.
“The importance of swimming is so great, because for example, one out of three kids are at risk of drowning, if they do not learn how to swim," said Boys and Girls Club Executive Director Liz Hamilton. "Youth of color are three times more likely to drown, because they don’t always have the resources or opportunities for swim lessons."
Hamilton said the support is going to help save lives. Meanwhile, the Familias said they were grateful for the community's continued support.