2007
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, King Aquatic Club will again participate in Swim-A-Thon. Just like last
year, King Aquatic Club will do something different. Instead of providing the
swimmers a Swim-A-Thon packet from USA Swimming, having the swimmers go
door-to-door, soliciting sponsors, collecting money, turning the packet and
money in at the end. 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 King Aquatic Club
Swim-A-Thon webpage.
However,
if swimmers and families want to use the traditional USA Swimming Swim-A-Thon
Packet, this will be available on request directly through your Pool
Representative. 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 King
Aquatic Club. KING 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.
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
95% of
the Swim-A-Thon money stays with King Aquatic Club! 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: Saturday,
March 17, 2007, 9:00am-2:30pm
Where:
When: Date: April
16 through
Where: TBA
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 Friday,
How
much money should we raise?
Each
family or individual on King Aquatic Club should have a goal to raise $200.00.
Our team goal is to raise $60,000. 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
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!