Softball fundraiser will pay for swimming scholarships for 25 families of children with autism in Alía

A fundraiser softball game between police and firefighters will provide swimming scholarships to 25 families with children on the autism spectrum in the City of Alía, public commenters said during a community update.

Speakers said the scholarships were raised through a friendly police-versus-firefighters softball match and will pay for swim lessons for children with special needs. Public Commenter 1, a resident, said, "Qué orgullo es ser parte de esta gran ciudad. Y es que gracias a la recaudación de fondos de un partido amistoso de sóftbol entre policías y bomberos, 25 familias con niños autistas podrán beneficiarse de un programa de natación."

The initiative matters, speakers said, because of both safety and mental-health benefits. A parent who identified herself as a mother of three said swimming had helped one child by reducing anxiety and stress and stressed that knowing how to swim reduces the risk around bodies of water. She said, "Le ha venido muy bien, ya que esto le calma un poco la ansiedad, también le sirve para el estrés ... es muy importante también que sepa nadar porque así no tiene ningún peligro en ninguna parte."

Commenters described the program as intended to address a practical safety gap. One speaker recounted a local drowning this year, saying, "Este año escuchamos de una niña de 3 años, se ahogó en el parque de Amelia, y ella era una niña con autismo," and said that the incident helped mobilize the fundraising effort. Speakers emphasized that some children with autism are especially drawn to water and that lessons can reduce the risk if a child approaches water alone.

Speakers also discussed instructors' challenges in teaching children with special needs and said that greater preparation and passion among instructors improves outcomes. One commenter said, "Es muy importante darle la oportunidad a todos estos niños ... con una buena preparación, con la pasión, con el deseo de enseñar, de ayudarlo. Creo que contribuimos un poquito más a la sociedad, incluyéndolos dentro de las posibilidades de que ellos puedan aprender."

The announcement did not specify which organization will administer the scholarships, the schedule for lessons, or whether lessons will take place at a city pool or partner facility. Commenters framed the scholarships as community-led and funded through the fundraiser; no formal city ordinance, budget item, or staff directive was recorded in the remarks.

The speakers framed the effort as a safety and inclusion measure for families of children on the autism spectrum; program delivery details and timelines were not specified in the meeting record.