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UPDATE: Swim-a-thon 2009 was a huge success! We raised over $9000 and had 52 swimmers swim on the morning of April 11. Our goal for next year is $10,000! Please be on the lookout for fundraisers next fall.
Swim-A-Thon is a fundraiser in which participants earn money for their team by swimming lengths of the pool. Swimmers have a two-hour period to swim a maximum of 200 lengths. Participants get pledges from businesses, family, neighbors, etc. prior to swimming. Some choose to get pledges and money prior to swimming while others get pledges per length and collect the money following the Swim-A-Thon. With over 500 Swim-A-Thons conducted each year nationwide, this program has proven itself over and over again as a successful method of raising funds for teams.
The exciting benefits of this program are that Swim-A-Thon is not only an excellent fundraiser, but also an opportunity for teams to combine swimming and a social event. Additionally, Swim-A-Thon can boost team spirit and increase community awareness of the team.
With that said, Blue Wave Swim Team will again participate in Swim-A-Thon. We will send all requests for sponsorship through direct mail. Studies have shown that letter writing fundraising campaign are more 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. All monies raised by each swimmer will be returned back to the club through US Mail. Each swimmer will be able to track their Swim-A-Thon fundraising progress through a link at the Blue Wave Swim Team, Swim-A-Thon webpage.
The traditional USA Swimming Swim-A-Thon Packet will be available on request directly through us. It will also be available at the Letter Writing Rally. For more information, see below.
Swimmers Information
START COLLECTING ADDRESSES NOW!
We are starting the Swim-A-Thon with a Letter Writing Kick-Off Party. At this party, we need you to address lots of letters to friends, family, and companies your parents do businesses with. These letters will ask for donations to Blue Wave Swim Team. Blue Wave will provide letters, envelopes, and postage at the party. We just ask you to bring one item to the party: The names and addresses of people to whom you will send your letters. You can still mail letters after the party but you won’t get the food or stamps.
RAFFLE PRIZES!
For every ten (10) letters you write, your name will be placed in a Raffle drawing to be held at the Letter Writing Kick-Off Party. All you have to do is hand in your letters and you will be entered. We will hold Raffles for multiple prizes at the party.
MORE PRIZES!
Swim-A-Thon prize levels and awards will soon be announced.
Parents Information
Please help your swimmers find names and addresses of people and businesses for their letter writing! Start with mailing addresses of family members, friends, and neighbors. Another good source of addresses is people you do business with such as your family doctor, dentist, insurance agent, tax accountant, real estate agent, or lawyer.
95% of the Swim-A-Thon money stays with Blue Wave! The other 5% goes to USA Swimming to help support national initiatives. We will also be donating a potion of what is raised to two local charities, Loudoun County Interfaith and The Brad Kaminsky Foundation for Brain Tumor Research in honor of legendary swim coach Richard Quick.
 
Please remember: Your swimmer can only swim at their assigned time. If they can’t make that time on the day of the Swim-A-Thon, talk to their coach to arrange a make-up swim on a training day.
Please plan on supporting your swimmer(s) by counting lengths during their swim.
Swim-A-Thon – Letter Writing Kick-off Party
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When: Saturday, February 27, 9:30am-1:00pm
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Where: Lakes Pool House
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What: Address letters and have fun at a party
Swim-A-Thon – Swim
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When: Date: April 17, 2010 (exact schedule will be announced)
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Where: Ashburn Village Sports Pavilion
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What: SWIM!
Swim-A-Thon Pledge Forms
Pledge forms have been ordered from USA Swimming. On these forms they have a grid, which also explains how much a sponsor can expect to pay given their pledge amount and the number of total lengths swum. We will distribute these forms.
How Do I get Pledges?
Pledges may be collected from family, friends, teachers, neighbors, business associates, etc., either by going door to door, or by letter writing. When you collect your money the total amount can be sent in by check. This makes it easier for the organizers of the Swim-A-Thon. We also suggest, if possible, collect your money at the time of the pledge.
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 Friday, May 7, 2010 to Coach Kira or Mike.
How much money should we raise?
Each family or individual on the Blue Wave Swim Team should have a goal to raise $50.00. Our team goal is to raise $10,000. 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?
We will be collecting money up till Friday, May 7, 2010. All Swim-A-Thon packets need to be turned in whether you collected any money or not. USA Swimming will charge Blue Wave $1.00 for any packets that are not returned.
Do we have to participate?
Since this is our biggest annual fundraiser for the team, we would like every swimmer to participate. Group prizes are awarded based on participation. It is not difficult to raise pledges, your parents can help and all you need to do is ask!
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