Making Waves: Melissa’s Mission to Keep Kids Safe in the Water

Donor Spotlight: Melissa Mishoe

When it comes to water safety, few advocates are as passionate or persistent as Melissa. A long-time champion for youth swim education and a generous donor to the Cady Way Revitalization Project, Melissa believes every child should learn to swim — not someday, but now.

As a proud member of Rowdy Gaines’ Step Into Swim’s Champion Board, Melissa has seen firsthand how early swim instruction saves lives. “Swimming is more than a sport,” she says. “In Florida, it’s a life skill. We are surrounded by water — pools, lakes, coastlines — and every child should have access to learn, play, and grow safely in it.”

1912 Olympics in Stockholm, Sweden

A Legacy in the Water

Melissa’s love for swimming runs deep — it’s in her blood. Originally from Ohio, she grew up surrounded by the sport. Her father and grandfather were both competitive swimmers, and her grandfather, Joe Morris, even qualified for the 1912 Olympic Games in Stockholm. Though illness kept him from competing, he went on to become the team captain of the University of Cincinnati swim team, passing down a legacy of leadership and dedication to the water.

That legacy made an impact early on. As a teen, Melissa trained as a junior lifeguard — training that would later prove life-saving. That same summer she pulled a struggling boy out of the same Michigan lake where she learned lifesaving. Thanks to her quick response, that boy not only survived — he grew up to become a pediatrician in California.

Melissa’s story is a powerful reminder that swimming isn't just a sport — it’s a skill that can shape lives, and sometimes even save them.

Take a listen to her story below as she tells it to legendary swimmer Rowdy Gaines:

More Than a Pool: A Vision for Every Child

Melissa's support goes beyond simply advocating for Olympic-sized competition pools. She’s also a vocal proponent of smaller teaching pools — warm-water spaces that are perfect for introducing young swimmers to the water, and equally valuable for therapy, rehabilitation, and adaptive swim programs. These accessible teaching pools, she believes, are key to making sure no child falls through the cracks when it comes to water safety.

That’s why Melissa’s contribution to the revitalization of Cady Way is so important. Her vision aligns perfectly with our goal to create a space where children of all abilities can learn to swim in a safe, welcoming environment. With her help, we’re not just building a pool — we’re building a future where drowning is no longer the leading cause of death for young children in Florida.

We're proud to have Melissa in our corner. Her advocacy, generosity, and heart for children inspire us every day.