What is Swim-A-Thon (and why we do it!)

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Marlene Marian Briggs
5 years ago
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1 What is Swim-A-Thon (and why we do it!) Swim-A-Thon is a fundraiser in which participants earn money for their team by swimming lengths of the pool. There are over 500 Swim-A-Thons conducted nationally each year and it has been an overwhelmingly successful method of raising funds for our team. How it works: Swimmers have a two-hour period, on April 22, to swim a maximum of 200 lengths. In the weeks prior to swimming, participants ask for pledges from businesses, family, neighbors, etc. Some swimmers choose to collect pledges and money prior to swimming while others get pledges per length and collect the money following the Swim-A-Thon. The exciting benefits: Swim-A-Thon is more than an excellent fundraiser. It is an opportunity to boost team spirit and increase community awareness of the team. By having the swimmers reach out into the community, we are also raising awareness of the importance of swimming as a life-saving skill and conveying the life long benefits of our sport. Interesting fact: Did you know more than $41 million dollars have been raised by over 1000 clubs during the last 10 years? Why should your child participate in Swim-A-Thon? It is a very empowering experience. Most swimmers who participate in Swim-A-Thon for the first time have no idea how many laps they can swim in a 2-hour time period. They will not only amaze you as parents, but they will truly amaze themselves. For any swimmer, there is a huge sense of accomplishment and pride to push themselves to do as many laps as possible in the 2- hour period. Swim-A-Thon is also the MOST important fundraiser that we hold each year and the best way to meet your team fundraising commitment. This fundraiser helps to support our outstanding coaching staff and the use of the top-notch facilities in which we swim. Five-percent of the money raised goes to USA Swimming to help support national initiatives while 95% stays with Mt. Hood Aquatics. PAST RESULTS: 2016 USA Swimming Swim-A-Thon Results Category #4: 300+ Members Team Amount Raised Place in Nation Mt Hood Aquatics $69, th

Donation Campaign The main components of the Swim-A-Thon are the donation campaign and the swim event. For 2017, our donation campaign will run from 3/13/17 through 6/2/17.

2 Donation Campaign The main components of the Swim-A-Thon are the donation campaign and the swim event. For 2017, our donation campaign will run from 3/13/17 through 6/2/17. Our swim event will occur on Saturday, April 22nd from 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the MHAC Pool. Swimmers swim at a specific time listed on the swim event page. There will be food available for everyone during the entire event. Thank you for your help and support! We have such a great team with wonderful families! Donations requests: There are four ways in which MHA swimmers can collect donations. Send out a donation request letter. This has proven to be the most successful because people like receiving personalized mail and you are more likely to catch the sponsor in their right moment of having extra discretionary spending money available Send out donation requests. Make the rounds in person and ask for donations or pledges. Pledges are used if you wish to either have people pledge a donation amount per lap or if you will be collecting donations in person (such as neighbors or co-workers). These types of donations are logged on the pledge form. Use your web page, through the Mt. Hood Aquatics website, to have people pledge electronically The key to success is getting as many letters and s sent out as possible. Parents can help swimmers find names and addresses and s of people and businesses for their letter writing! Start with addresses and s for family members, friends, and neighbors. Another good source for donations is people you do business with such as your family doctor, dentist, insurance agent, tax accountant, real estate agent, or lawyer. The donations raised from Swim-A-Thon are tax-deductible contributions. Please send a thank you note to your sponsors as well. It s nice to personalize your thank you note and if possible, include a photo of you swimming. Thank you notes are also available to send through your web page on the MHA website.

3 Key dates for the 2017 Donation Campaign 3/13 SWIM-A-THON STARTS!!! Begin your fundraising today!!! 4/21 SWIM-A-THON KICKOFF PARTY and TEAM PICTURE 6PM More information coming soon!!! 4/22 SWIM-A-THON EVENT! Hop in the pool and swim your laps today! See the SWIM EVENT below for more details. 4/23-6/1 Continue to send out any letters and s, get donations/pledges, and/or followup on requests; qualify for individual swimmer prizes plus team and pool top donations prizes. 6/2 SWIM-A-THON ENDS this is the target date to receive all donations and wrap up our Swim-A-Thon. Prizes for individual swimmer donation levels will be calculated as of 6/2 and distributed at our Swim-A-Thon Banquet in July.!!! SWIM EVENT!!! When: Saturday, April 22, 2017 from 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Kids will swim with their regular practice group, at the times shown below. Senior 3 6:00-8:00 a.m. Senior 1/Gold 8:00-10:00 a.m. White/Red 10:00-12:00 p.m. Plan to arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled time (remember to bring someone to count laps for you). Where: What: MHAC Pool Parents don t forget to bring a chair to sit on SWIM & FUN! We ask that families donate food items for the kids to eat after they have finished swimming their laps.

4 NEW Prize List For 2017!!! Money Raised Prize List $ MHA swim caps w/ swimmer s name $ MHA sweatshirt with name printed on back $400.00* USA Swimming Swim-A-Thon Swim Cap $ USA Swimming Swim-A-Thon Swim Cap $600.00* USA Swimming Swim-A-Thon Polar Water Bottle $ Speedo Gear Bag USA Swimming Swim-A-Thon Polar Water Bottle $800.00* USA Swimming Swim-A-Thon Long-Sleeve Hooded T-Shirt $1, MHA Parka -OR- $125 Gift Card for Swim Gear USA Swimming Swim-A-Thon Long-Sleeve Hooded T-Shirt $ * USA Swimming Swim-A-Thon Backpack MHA Parka -OR- $125 Gift Card for Swim Gear $ USA Swimming Swim-A-Thon Backpack MHA Parka -OR- $125 Gift Card for Swim Gear MHA sweatshirt as above -AND- MHA Hydro Flask * Once a swimmer reaches $400 they are awarded one prize by USA swimming. As you hit the new USA swimming prize goals your prize will change based on how much money you raise. (ex: a swimmer who raises $800 will receive a USA Swimming Hooded T-Shirt but not the Water Bottle that was listed at $600 or the cap for $400).

5 Prizes for the Top 3 Fundraisers for in each Coach s Group: 1. Speedo Bag with Mt Hood logo and last name embroidered 2. Speedo Goggles 3. Black towel with Mt Hood logo embroidered Prizes for the Top 3 Fundraisers for the Team: 1. $125 gift card for swim gear 2. $75 gift card for swim gear 3. $50 gift card for swim gear Frequently Asked Questions: How long do we have to raise money? You can start now to obtain pledges from friends, family members, and businesses. Ask your dentist, ask your neighbors, and ask your family members to sponsor you for Swim-A-Thon. Some parents take the pledge form to work and ask their co-workers or place the pledge form on a bulletin board. You can ask for a flat dollar amount or a per length pledge, it s up to you. All monies need to be collected and turned in by June 2nd to you pool rep. How much money should we raise? Our team goal is to raise $75,000. It is important that every team member participate! A team effort is needed by everyone to accomplish our goal. Please remember these pledges will significantly help our club. When and where do we turn in the money? Money should be turned in every Monday to your Pool Rep, or the SAT Coordinators, Jody Rash and Gayla Iwata-Reuyl. Please return any unused USA Swimming Swim-A-Thon packets or letter writing materials, to help us keep costs down. Do we have to participate? Our goal as a team is 100% participation in Swim-A-Thon! Group prizes are awarded based on participation as well as lots of prizes based on your individual fundraising. It is not difficult to raise pledges - all you need to do is ask! Remember, you are giving your potential sponsor a tax write-off opportunity. Where are the Swim-A-Thon Pledge Forms? Pledge forms are available from the Pool Reps. The swimmer gets the pledge and then returns to the donor after the swim event to collect the pledge amount. How do I get pledges? Pledges may be collected from family, friends, teachers, neighbors, business associates, etc. and logged on the pledge sheet that is included in the Swim-A-Thon packet. We suggest, if possible, collect your money at the time of the pledge. Money turned in will be recorded by MHA on your web page for you. Pledges can also be collected through your web page by donors clicking to donate directly on your web page on our MHA website. What if we have other questions? Please direct questions to the Swim-A-Thon coordinators: Jody Rash coachjodymha@gmail.com or Gayla Iwata-Reuyl iwatag@comcast.net or

KATY Aquatics 2018 Swim-A-Thon Fundraiser Packet

KATY Aquatics 2018 Swim-A-Thon Fundraiser Packet Goal: $200,000 100% Team Participation on Swim-A-Thon Day 1 Swim-A-Thon FAQ's What is Swim-A-Thon? Swim-A-Thon is our single largest fundraiser each year.