2013 SWIM-A-THON INFORMATION

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, Portland Aquatic Club will again participate in Swim-A-Thon in 2013. For the 2013 Swim-A-Thon, PAC will be using the Traditional Fundraising platform only. The USA Swimming Swim-A-Thon packet, including paper pledge forms, will be available directly through your Pool Parent. PAC letterhead, a generic sample letter- PDF, a sample letter in word, and a great personalized letter (2009 SAT) by PAC swimmer Katie Oppenheimer are available here.

For any questions regarding the Swim-A-Thon, please contact the PAC Swim-A-Thon Coordinator or your Pool Swim-A-Thon Coordinators, listed below:

PAC Swim-A-Thon Coordinator:
Cindy Strecker
cabstrecker@hotmail.com
785-764-1244 (cell)
503-245-5852 (home)

Pool Swim-A-Thon Representatives:
Dishman: Suzi Davis
SWCC: Greta Hilbourne
Mt. Scott: David Cowing
Columbia: Beth Bernard


Swimmers Information

START COLLECTING EMAIL and HOME ADDRESSES NOW!
We are starting the Swim-A-Thon with a Letter Writing at each pool.  We need you to address lots of letters to friends, family, and companies your parents do business with. These letters will ask for donations to Portland Aquatic Club.

PRIZES!  More Prizes!

Swim-A-Thon participation awards are as follows:

Certificate of Participation - awarded to all swimmers who participate
Swim-a-Thon pins - two versions for swimmers completing 100 or 200 lengths

Additionally, for swimmers who raise $300+, USA Swimming offers the following prizes:

Swim-a-Thon Cap - $300.00 - $499.99
Swim-a-Thon Shirt - $500.00 - $749.99
Swim-a-Thon Towel - $750.00 - $999.99
Swim-a-Thon Swim Bag - $1,000.00+

Parent 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 PAC! The other 5% goes to USA Swimming to help support national initiatives. The donations raised from Swim-A-Thon are tax-deductible contributions.

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
When:      Starting week of December 10, 2012
Where:     At Home
What:       Address letters

Swim-A-Thon – Swim

When:      Jan. 28- Feb. 1, 2013
Where:     PAC Sites
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. Each pool representative & coach will distribute these forms.

How Do I get Pledges?
 
Pledges may be collected from family, friends, teachers, neighbors, business associates, etc., either by direct email, 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 or encourage sponsors on go online to donate to you immediately.

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 (Tax ID # 93-0959104), it’s up to you.

How much money should we raise?

Each family or individual on PAC should have a goal to raise $200.00. Our team goal is to raise $35,000. 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.

Each pool should aim to raise the following:

Dishman: $6,250
SWCC: $11,720
Mt. Scott: $9,690
Columbia: $7,340

When and where do we turn in the money?

All monies need to be collected and turned in by February 15, 2013 to

PAC c/o Cindy Strecker
780 SW Menefee Lane,
Portland, OR 97239

OR to your pool representative identified above.

All Swim-A-Thon packets need to be turned in whether you collected any money or not. (PAC will be charged $1 per packet 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! Remember, you are giving your potential sponsor a tax write-off opportunity. Many people look for non-profit organizations to reduce their tax burden even in economic hard times.