Community Pool Staff to Aid Coach's Family With Fundraiser

Employees at the Madison Community Pool who want to show their support for a Madison High School teacher and coach whose 4-year-old daughter is battling a brain tumor have decided to use the pool's annual Family Fun Day as an opportunity to raise money for the girl.

The pool plans to raise funds for Brooke Healey by selling bracelets, bears and raffle tickets for gift certificates during the event, pool assistant manager Melanie Welter said.

Family Fun Day is scheduled for noon to 5 p.m. Sunday and includes kayak races, a splash contest and water balloon toss. The event drew more than 1,000 people last year.

Pool manager Gil Thompson had Brooke's father, Steve Healey, as a wrestling coach. Thompson said he thought it was a good idea for the Madison Community Pool to help Healey's family.

"He gave so much to us through coaching and teaching," Thompson said.

Welter, also a Madison High School graduate, knows Healey from her time at the school and said her brother was coached by him. Many of the life guards at the pool also know him, she said.

Residents interested in attending the event can be signed in to the Madison Community Pool as guests by members.

"We're hoping it's successful and we get a good turnout for a good cause," she said.