S.A. man turns Facebook joke into nationwide pool campaign

This Facebook post of a makeshift pool on the West Side drew laughs and mockery online, but Arredondo was inspired, and turned the joke into a passion project that is branching out to help families in states outside Texas. less This Facebook post of a makeshift pool on the West Side drew laughs and mockery online, but Arredondo was inspired, and turned the joke into a passion project that is branching out to help families in states ... more Photo: Facebook Screenshot Photo: Facebook Screenshot Image 1 of / 30 Caption Close S.A. man turns Facebook joke into nationwide pool campaign 1 / 30 Back to Gallery

Soon, kids around the nation will experience the generosity of a San Antonio man whose mission is ensuring summertime smiles for everyone, regardless of financial status.

What has become Todd Arredondo's life work began last summer when he spotted a viral Facebook post mocking a West Side family for using a truck bed as a pool to keep cool.

Instead of contributing to the thread of jokes, Arredondo worked to locate the family in the photo so he could give them a pool. One donation then turned into "Pools for Kids," which Arredondo is now planning on extending past San Antonio.

Arredondo told mySA.com he never expected his single act of kindness would create a nationwide effort.

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"My mind was just set on buying one pool and that was it," he reflected. "Everything changed as soon as I delivered that one pool and as soon as I saw that kid's smile."

The work of the one-man team eventually attracted national attention from People Magazine and Inside Edition. And as word of Arredondo's work spread, donations to a GoFundMe set up for Pools for Kids started accumulating.

Funds combined from the online campaign and Arredondo's own wallet bought 122 San Antonio families above-ground pools, sent 20 families to Splashtown and provided sprinklers and water slides for about 50 families who set up pools at their homes.

Arredondo said he has about 300 pools to distribute to kids in San Antonio, around Texas and surrounding states, where summers are expected to bring sweltering temperatures.

He'll spend the next two weeks mapping out his San Antonio plans then take a few months away from his small business and lease a van for his pool-delivering road trip out of Texas.

Arredondo has located 100 Texas families and is using references from people in states like California and Arizona to find others. He hopes to establish a presence in each city to create hubs for future pool distribution.

"There's no limit, we want to help as many people as possible," he said.

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Arredondo will use some Pools for Kids donations to pay for gas, but he will pay for all other traveling expenses. He'll also spend his vacation time on the project.

"I used to take the summer off to go somewhere nice with margaritas, but this enjoyment is much greater than traveling," Arredondo said. "Last year turned my whole life around. I've learned not to value possessions or materialistic things, but life and real happiness and that's in giving."

Arrredondo also finds joy in seeing the families he's helped pay it forward. He said one family has offered their time to help him deliver pools this year.

"It's incredible that these kids are learning," he said. "It's teaching these kids that they're not being given a handout, but that giving is the best gift in the world — that you're able to help someone no matter what your situation is. Just having the willingness to give is what it's all about."

Knowing he has the power to help kids have a summer free of financial stress is what drives Arredondo.

"I've always had a big heart, I've always loved helping people," he said. "I grew up super poor and I'm not close to being wealthy, but I've learned that it's not what you have or where you live, life is about what you give."

Keep up with Arredondo's journey via the Pools for Kids Facebook page or GoFundMe.

mmendoza@mysa.com

Twitter: @MaddySkye