The Emerald Coast Fitness Foundation will celebrate a decade of community service with an Olympic splash this month, bringing gold medalist swimmer Cody Miller to headline its anniversary celebration.
- The nonprofit organization, which started around a kitchen table in 2014, will host “Splash of Gold” on May 17 at the Taj Renee Community Aquatic Center in Destin.
“I’m excited for our keynote participant, Cody Miller,” said ECFF Board President Kevin Leibold. “I’m looking forward to watching him bring his expertise to local swimmers and to hearing how he relates his professional swimming career to them.”
Miller, who won gold at the 2016 Rio Olympics in the 4×100 medley relay, will teach youth swimming clinics, sign autographs and speak at an evening cocktail social.
Kathi Heapy, one of the Foundation’s founders, made the connection with Miller earlier this year after following his popular YouTube channel. Heapy emailed Miller and mentioned that she was also an Indiana swimmer and mentioned what the Foundation was doing in Destin. Miller responded
- “Next thing, I got a text saying ‘Hi, this is Cody Miller. Let’s set up a time to talk,’” Heapy said.
Miller was compelled by the foundation’s mission, which is to bring aquatic opportunities to all, according to Heapy.
Over the past decade, the Foundation has grown to operate two facilities in Fort Walton Beach and an aquatic center in Destin, all open to the public. More than 5,000 swimmers of all ages have used ECFF pools, with over 1,000 children and adults taking lessons annually.
- Ten middle school teams, six high school teams, two summer leagues and one year-round team practice or compete at the facilities. In 2024, the foundation expanded its programming to include adaptive swim lessons and opened its second pool in Fort Walton Beach.
Sharon Smith and her husband Tim, owners of Tim Smith Acura, have supported the foundation since its inception. The flagship pool in Fort Walton Beach is named after Smith’s father, Bernie R. LeFebvre.
“Swimming is fundamental to our community,” Smith said. “We’re passionate about ensuring everyone has access to learn this life-saving skill – from children to adults. Supporting the foundation’s mission was a natural fit for us from day one.”
Tim Smith Acura returns for its fourth year as presenting sponsor of the foundation’s spring fundraiser.
This year’s “Splash of Gold” event will include three components: morning youth swimming clinics with Miller ($100 per child with sibling discounts), an afternoon pool party from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. ($25 for entire families), and an evening cocktail social from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. ($62 per individual or $100 per couple).
The foundation has also added an online auction opening May 10, featuring beachfront stays, vacations, charter boat trips, premium bourbon baskets, Speedo race day packages, and Olympic memorabilia.
- The evening social will include the unveiling of the 2025 Okaloosa Swim and Dive Hall of Fame inductees.
The Emerald Coast Fitness Foundation operates as a 501(c)3 organization funded through memberships, business sponsorships and fundraisers.
Tickets for all “Splash of Gold” events are available here.
