The Chuck Butler Memorial Aquatics Endowment continues investment in water sports and safety
So far in 2026, a wave of grant awards totaling over $23,000 has been made possible through the Chuck Butler Memorial Aquatics Endowment of ACHF, supporting youth aquatic sports and safety in our school districts and partner nonprofit organizations.
Most recently, ACHF has partnered with the Ashland Family YMCA to support their inaugural Swim Camp at YMCA Camp DeBoer, a new overnight weekend program designed to help youth improve swimming skills, build water confidence, and experience the belonging that comes with camp community.
The program launches this summer with a goal of serving 40 campers and is made possible through a $9,000 grant from the endowment, a fund established by Jeff and Alexi McCullough in memory of Chuck, whose passion for aquatic sports and water safety continues to shape local youth programming.
“This camp is about more than learning to swim. It’s about creating a formative experience, where a young person explores their comfort zone, finds their footing in the water, and leaves with a deeper sense of what they’re capable of.” – Alexi McCullough
An award of $9,500 to Ashland Water Polo helped build a stronger future for water polo in the area. Funding supported new equipment, coaching education, and community “come try water polo” sessions at Rogue X that have already introduced the sport to new players and families this season. A week-long summer camp for elementary and middle school students brought even more young athletes into the water.
In our local schools, investments made sure no athlete had to show up underprepared. The Ashland High School Swim Team received over $1,400 for matching team swimsuits, giving every swimmer on the roster the same sharp look and a shared sense of team pride. Phoenix High School Swim Team received over $3,900 to cover new practice fins and travel expenses for team meets, helping their athletes train harder and compete farther from home.
If you have an interest in youth aquatics, we invite you to make a gift to the endowment and help ensure that local youth always have access to the programs, coaching, and equipment they need to succeed in the water.
