The Ohio Department of Natural Resources has awarded a grant to a Toledo-based charity to improve swimming skills.

State Sen. Edna Brown (D., Toledo) announced the grant of $45,054 for The Josh Project. It will fund more swim instructors and access to pools. The check was awarded Monday during a news conference at the University of Toledo.

The Josh Project was founded by Wanda Butts after the 2006 drowning death of her 16-year-old son, John-Joshua Butts.

First Published October 27, 2015, 4:53 a.m.