T-R FILE PHOTO On Sunday, July 30 from 1-6 p.m., there will be free admission to the Marshalltown Aquatic Center, courtesy Mitchell Family Funeral Home. The gesture is in remembrance of the four children who drowned in the Iowa River the summer of 2012.

The sweltering heat of summer leads many folks — especially children — to seek bodies of water in which to cool down. Because not everyone can afford to go to waterparks and pools, local businessman Marty Mitchell wants to ensure that at least one day a year, cost is not a barrier in taking a dip or a swim.

On Sunday, July 30 from 1-6 p.m., the general public will get in free at the Marshalltown Aquatic Center, courtesy Mitchell Family Funeral Home.

This annual Free Swim Day was inspired by the tragic events of the summer of 2012, wherein four youngsters — Andres Favela-Lopez, 10, Lee Meh, 9, Se Reh, 7, and Thay Mo, 7, drowned in the Iowa River.

Mitchell handled the funeral arrangements.

“It had to be one of the most challenging and emotionally draining summers in my career,” he said.

After the drownings, Mitchell said he heard negative remarks made about the parents of the deceased children. Wanting to voice his own views, he took to social media.

“It was not a time to point fingers; we needed to band together as a community and support the families,” he said.

Mitchell set up a fund to help cover the costs of swim passes at the aquatic center.

“The community was extremely supportive. We got businesses to support us and we received donations,” he said. “That first year, we gave away 1,800 swim passes.”

Three years ago, the concept shifted to having the funeral home cover the costs of admission for one day of swimming at the aquatic center.

“Everyone is invited — it’s not just for kids to swim for free,” Mitchell said. “We want people to bring their friends and family, too.”

He said the largest attendance at a Free Swim Day was around 900 people.

“I’d be happy for the pool to be busting at the seams. I would love to see attendance of well over 1,000 people,” he said. “Families are happy, and it gets kids to not swim in the river.”

Mitchell said he is committed to continuing to offer this free one-day event.

“As long as I’m alive, it’s going to happen,” he said.