Legacy of Josh: Honoring 20 Years of a Lifesaving Mission

Taylor Automotive Family was honored to host Legacy of Josh: Honoring the Past. Protecting the Future. on Thursday, August 6 at Taylor Hyundai of Perrysburg, bringing together family, friends, community partners, and supporters for an evening dedicated to remembering Josh and celebrating the lifesaving work his story inspired.

The date carried special meaning. On August 6, 2006, 16-year-old John Joshua Butts tragically lost his life in a drowning accident. In the years that followed, his mother, Wanda Butts, transformed an unimaginable loss into a mission to make water safety education and swim instruction more accessible to children throughout the Toledo community. The Josh Project was founded in 2007, and over the past two decades has taught more than 5,000 children how to swim.

Honoring the past

Throughout the evening, guests reflected on Josh's life and the impact his legacy continues to have on families throughout our community.

The celebration also recognized Wanda Butts for the work she has led over the past 20 years, along with St. Francis de Sales High School, the Greater Toledo Aquatic Club, and Groth & Associates for the important roles they have played in supporting The Josh Project and helping its mission grow.

What began with one family's determination to prevent another family from experiencing the same loss has grown into a community effort centered on water safety, confidence, education, and prevention.

Protecting the future

The Josh Project's work continues to evolve. In addition to introductory swim lessons, the organization has developed pathway programs that allow participants to continue their swim training with partner organizations after completing their initial program. The organization is also working toward expanding water safety education, CPR and AED awareness, and programming into additional Ohio communities.

That continued growth is what made the message behind the evening, honoring the past while protecting the future, especially meaningful.

Funds raised through the Legacy of Josh event benefit The Josh Project and help provide more children with access to swimming opportunities and lifesaving water safety education.

Proud to host this special evening

At Taylor Automotive Family, being locally owned, locally committed means creating space for the people and organizations working every day to make our communities stronger and safer.

We were grateful for the opportunity to open the doors of Taylor Hyundai of Perrysburg for this milestone celebration and stand alongside The Josh Project as they reflected on 20 years of impact.

Josh's story began with a heartbreaking loss, but the legacy built in his name continues to educate, protect, and save lives. We congratulate Wanda, Lawrence, The Josh Project team, and every community partner who has helped carry that mission forward.

Here’s to the next generation of children who will be safer and more confident around the water because Josh's story continues to be told.