Cool Kids Chris, Matt Hales help kids in need get swim equipment

MISSION VIEJO, Calif. (KABC) -- Our ABC7 Cool Kids for Thursday, March 10 are twin brothers Chris and Matt Hales, who both want to help all kids enjoy swimming as much as they do.

The twins are accomplished swimmers, and they formed the organization Goggles for Guppies. Matt and Chris then started making phone calls.

"Programs for learning to swim are free, but the problem is that a lot of the equipment is very costly," Chris said. "We started reaching out to all the manufacturers and to all the vendors and asked them if you have any leftover equipment why not send it to us and we'll send it to these kids who need it."

The brothers began helping kids in Orange County, but soon found out there were many more in need.

"Over time we started getting donations and asking if they could ship it to other parts of the country," Matt said. "Recently we shipped one to North Carolina, West Virginia, Texas. We also shipped one to Alaska."

Now they're helping children in other countries, too. But their goals remain the same as when they started out - making sure everyone is safe in the water.

Chris and Matt appreciate all they've received from water sports and now want to give back by allowing others the same opportunities.