Legacy of Love

by Charlotte Kovalchuk

Colt Catalina Foundation Champions Drowning Prevention

Madison Marchegiano, founder and president of the Colt Catalina Foundation, shares her journey of starting the Colt Catalina Foundation and its mission of educating the community about drowning prevention. The foundation also provides swim lesson scholarships for those in financial need.

WHAT INSPIRED THE FOUNDING OF THE COLT CATALINA FOUNDATION?

Colt Catalina was a family friend of mine who tragically passed away from a drowning accident at the age of 2. I was just 12 years old and had known Colt since he was 6 months old. He was the cutest blonde-haired, blue-eyed baby boy I’d ever laid eyes on. When Colt passed away, his death hit me hard — changed my life in so many ways — and left a hole in my heart.

Five years after Colt passed, trying to process everything and watching his family suffer the unimaginable, I finally got the courage to ask his parents if I could start a nonprofit in his honor since I knew it was too hard for them. I knew I needed to do something to prevent this tragedy from happening to another family. There is nothing more heartbreaking than watching a family suffer the loss of a child and brother.

WHAT NEED IS THE FOUNDATION ADDRESSING IN THE COMMUNITY?

The Colt Catalina Foundation raises awareness for drowning prevention and child safety. Drowning is the leading cause of death for children aged 1 to 4 years. Our goal is to educate the public and provide Infant Aquatics®️ survival swim lesson scholarships around the United States to those in financial need. Infant Aquatics®️ is the second-largest survival swim program in the world. They teach infants and young children aged 6 months through 6 years the swim-float-swim method, and we are proud to be partnered with them and be their top sponsor.

WHAT IMPACT HAS COLT HAD ON THE COMMUNITY?

Colt was a vibrant toddler, the love of everyone who knew him, and the apple of his mother's eye. A very talented little boy and a special gift from God. Many people who knew Colt loved his heavenly blue eyes, winning smile, and the sound of his infectious laugh. Colt brought so much joy to this world and touched so many people's lives. He was such a sweet, fun, loving little boy. Colt’s oldest sister played softball at Cedar Park Youth League, and he loved going to the ball park.

In March of 2011, CPYL dedicated the t-ball field as the Colt Catalina Field. Every year I put a banner up under his sign so people can read about him and see his sweet face. In March of 2023, the playground at CPYL was named Colt’s Playground in his honor. Colt’s legacy lives on in so many ways and continues to touch people’s lives even if they never got a chance to meet him.

COULD YOU TALK ABOUT THE FOUNDATION'S COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT?

Besides providing Infant Aquatics®️survival swim lessons scholarships, the Colt Catalina Foundation hosts a toy drive every year for Dell Children’s Hospital. Colt was taken there the day of his accident and we love to give back to them. We also host other various drives for them throughout the year. PHI Air Medical life-flighted him and once a year we donate new medical equipment as a thank-you for trying so hard to save his life.

Another thing we do is drop off food at Liberty Hill Fire Department for EMS Week in May. They responded to the accident and we are forever grateful to them, as well as Dell Children’s Hospital, and PHI Air Medical.

ARE THERE ANY UPCOMING PROJECTS YOU'D LIKE TO SHARE?

We are collecting toys for the seventh annual Colt’s Toy Drive for Dell Children’s Hospital for Christmas. Our biggest need at this time is donations for survival swim scholarships.

Those who would like to get involved can email us at ColtCatalinaFoundation@ gmail.com, visit us on our social media, or our website at ColtCatalinaFoundation.com.

HOW CAN PEOPLE GET INVOLVED AND LEARN MORE ABOUT THE COLT CATALINA FOUNDATION?

The Colt Catalina Foundation is always looking for volunteers and advocates for our board of directors. Our goal is to bring awareness to childhood drowning and make sure no other family has to suffer the unimaginable pain Colt’s family has endured. Drowning is 100 percent preventable.