Turning Personal Loss Into Life-Saving Legacy
The Devin and Conner Dewald Memorial Fund
2026 Brick Fundraiser | Purchase Your Brick today!
Every parent's worst nightmare became a reality for Anastasia Dewald on June 13, 2005, when her twin children, Devin and Conner, tragically drowned at their daycare center. Rather than allowing unimaginable grief to define her story, Anastasia transformed loss into purpose. In 2008, she dedicated herself to teaching life-saving water safety skills, working one-on-one with children and families. That commitment led to the founding of Squiddles Swim School in 2018, where more than 3,000 children have since gained the skills and confidence to be safer around water—fulfilling her mission to help ensure no other family endures the same heartbreak.
The Birth of the Memorial Fund
In 2024, Anatasia took another significant step forward by establishing the Devin and Conner Dewald Memorial Fund, a 501c3 nonprofit organization. This fund exists with one clear purpose: preventing accidental drownings through accessible water safety education for all communities.
Why This Matters
Drowning can seem like an isolated tragedy that strikes out of nowhere, but did you know that according to the Children’s Safety Network, every year in the United States, 945 children drown to death? Nearly all of these are under four years old. Furthermore, most of these children drown in home swimming pools. Children make up 1 out of every 4 drowning victims in our country.
Every statistic represents a family, a story, and a life that could have been saved through proper water safety education. This reality drives our mission every day at Squiddles Swim School and the Memorial Fund.
Our Impact and Your Role
-
✽
Scholarships For Students
-
✽
Water Safety Education
-
✽
Community Outreach Initiatives
-
✽
Resources For Families In Need
1: Direct Donations
Your tax-deductible contributions directly fund survival swim lessons for families in need. Every dollar helps protect another child from drowning. If you’re passionate about preventing this tragedy from striking another family, please consider donating from $10 and up to our memorial fund.
2: Not Able to Donate?
Consider These Other Ways to Support Our Mission:
Host a Fundraiser: Organize events or campaigns to support our mission.
In-Kind Donations: Contribute essential supplies through our Amazon Wishlist or donate new, unused towels.
Partnership Opportunities: Connect us with schools and community centers to expand our reach.
Raise Awareness: Follow and share our message on Instagram @squiddles_Swimschool.
Your support helps us honor Devin and Conner's memory by protecting other children and families. Together, we can create safer communities and ensure that every child has the opportunity to learn essential water safety skills and no family has to endure the untimely passing of their little ones.
To learn more about our programs, please contact us atswimschool@squiddles.net
Honor a Life. Help Save Another.
Every engraved memorial brick supports the Devin and Conner Dewald Memorial Fund, providing scholarships for children to receive lifesaving survival swim lessons at Squiddles Survival Swim School.
Your personalized brick becomes a permanent symbol in our walkway of love, remembrance, and hope, creating a legacy that helps keep more children safe around water.
Brick Fundraiser 2026
Scholarship Applications
The Devin and Conner Dewald Memorial Fund stands as a testament to the power of turning profound loss into meaningful action. Through education, accessibility, and community support, we work tirelessly to prevent other families from experiencing the devastating impact of drowning accidents.
We believe every child deserves access to life-saving swim lessons. Families in need can apply for assistance through our scholarship program.