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. 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.
The traditional USA Swimming Swim-A-Thon Packet,
this will be available on request directly through your Pool
Parent. It will also be available at the Kick-off Rally / Letter
Writing Party. 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 Portland
Aquatic Club. PAC will provide letters, envelopes, and stamps
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.
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 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 Kick-off
Party
When: October 24,
2009 (7-9 am)
Where: Dishman during
team photos
What: Address
letters and have fun at a party
Swim-A-Thon –
Swim
When: December 14-
18, 2009
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 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 Monday, January 18,
2010 to you pool representative or their designee.
How much money should we
raise?
Each family or individual on PAC should have
a goal to raise $100.00. Our team goal is to raise $20,000. 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 collect the money on the pool deck on
Monday, January 18, 2010. All Swim-A-Thon packets need to be turned
in whether you collected any money or not.
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.
