Tempe-based Pivot Solar-Breeze, maker of the solar-powered pool skimming robot Ariel, is pleased to announce that it will donate up to $10,000 to Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation in support of swim lessons for Arizona children in foster care. 

For every Ariel unit purchased via arielpool.com in July and August, PSB will contribute $20 towards the fundraising goal.

AFFCF funds a variety of social, athletic and educational activities for children in foster care that are not otherwise funded by the state or other programs. In the last 12 months, AFFCF has invested over $114,000 in statewide swim lessons for children in foster care. AFFCF has eight preferred swim lesson partners which provide discounts on private and semi-private swim lessons to children in foster care from 16 Arizona locations.

"When you are a child in foster care, it seems like everybody around you knows it. When they get to put their little swimsuits on and hop in a pool with other kids at Hubbard Family Swim, they feel like a 'normal' kid for that amount of time during the week," said Kris Jacober, Executive Director of AFFCF in a statement. Through AFFCF, each child may only participate in one fully-funded activity at a time, but learning how to swim is the exception. If a child wants to participate in both basketball and swim lessons, AFFCF will fully cover both.

"Learning how to swim and behave safely around a pool is an important experience for all, and we are pleased to support those lessons for children who are living through difficult circumstances," said Paul Sim, Vice President of Pivot-Solar Breeze. "Every child deserves the opportunity to have fun in a swimming pool, and to learn how to do it safely." 

Drowning is the single leading cause of accidental death for children ages one to four years old and 3,500 will likely drown this year in the U.S. alone.

Ariel works around the clock skimming the surface of the pool, relieving pool owners and pool professionals of hand-skimming.