It's SWIM-A-THON time!

 

Our Swim-A-Thon will be on Friday, November 8th. This will be held in our home natatorium at the Platte County Community Center North in Platte City. During Swim-A-Thon, swimmers will have a two-hour period in which to swim 200 lengths (100 laps). Not enough of a challenge - Then go for 200 Laps. Donors are encouraged to support our swimmers by pledging to support their efforts as a flat donation, or through per length/lap donations. Business sponsorship opportunities are also available! Donations will be accepted as part of the Swim-A-Thon until Sunday, November 17th. We will have a prize drawing on Wednesday, November 20th in place of Dryland to close out and celebrate our Swim-A-Thon Successes!

 

Timeline for November 8th:

·         Arrive and Stretch between 4:45-5:15p

·         Swim from 5:15p - 7:15p (out earlier if reaching 200 laps before 2 hours elapses)

·         Cookout to follow until 8p

 

Our team, like many throughout the country, participates in this every year as a great way to help their team, but also to partner with the USA Swim Foundation. Locally, we use this to help fulfill our yearly YMCA fundraising goal in partnership with the USA Swimming Foundation. 

Swim-A-Thon also provides funds to enable our local club to continue to add to our coaching staff, offer scholarships for swimmers, cover costs for athlete travel and social events, as well as maintain our team equipment. 

Our collective goal is to raise $12,000 in pledges and funds raised. Each competitive swimmer is required to raise $250, and each of our prep participants are asked to raise a minimum of $125, with no more than $500 required per household. If every household achieves their goal, we should be on track to exceed our collective team goal!  As swimmers raise money, they will qualify to win prizes donated by the community. Every $25 raised will give them another opportunity to receive a prize, with 5 bonus entries for every swimmer that meets their donation goal. Donations can be made in advance of the event as a flat donation online, or can be a donation pledge ahead of the event to be collected after the event based on your swimmers performance. The following links can be used to make these donations and pledges starting October 15th.

Be sure to Declare your participation and start your fundraising ASAP.  Let Coach Brent know if you have questions, and we’ll see you at the pool!

 

If your swimmer is raising money through flat value donations for the event:

Individual Donors - can log on to the YMCA Donation Dashboard and make a donation directly online. This is the prefered method for individual donations. Remind donors to include "For (Swimmers First & Last Name) BWST Swim-A-Thon" in the Gift Notes Section and to select "Blue Wave Swim Team" as the Y Location / Program. We can not take Cash or check donations from individual donors.

 

Business Sponsorships - These are another great way to raise money. Approach the local business you wish to ask to be a sponsor and give them a copy of our Business Sponsorship letter. This will give them an idea of what levels of sponsorship are offered. The lower levels of sponsorship are for the team only. Higher levels of sponsorship also entitle them to benefits from the YMCA of Greater Kansas City. Once a business is ready to sponsor, they will need to complete a Pledge Form. They can not donate as a business through the Donation Dashboard. If they will pay by check or cash, you can collect the payment and turn it in to Coach Brent by the 14th. If they prefer to mail it, be sure it will arrive by the 14th, have it made out to YMCA, and mail it to:

KC Blue Wave Swim Team

Attn: Brent Graham

3101 Running Horse Rd

Platte City, MO 64079

If they prefer to pay by card, have them list the last 4 of the card and make sure their contact information is correct and turn in the Pledge Form to Coach Brent by November 14th. A member of the YMCA staff will reach out to collect the donation on the card.

 

If your swimmer is raising money by lap or for hitting a lap goal:

Individual Donors -  Have donors make a pledge per lap or a pledge if you complete certain milestones. After the event on the 8th, contact your donors with the results of your swim and the amount that they have agreed to donate based on the results. Direct them to log on to the YMCA Donation Dashboard and make a donation directly online. Remind donors to include "For (Swimmers First & Last Name) BWST Swim-A-Thon" in the Gift Notes Section and to select "Blue Wave Swim Team" as the Y Location / Program. We can not take Cash or check donations from individual donors.

 

Here are some helpful links to help your swimmer exceed their goals of fundraising:

Business Sponsorship - Use this if you are asking a business to make a donation

Pledge Form - Business Sponsorship Donations must be collected using this form. individual Donations that will be made per lap or for hitting a lap goal will also use this form to pledge their donation before the event

Generic fill in the blank letter for asking friends and families - use this to ask an individual to make a donation

Donation Dashboard - You can share this link with either the business or individual you are approaching, and they can directly donate here. Remiond donors to include "For (Swimmers First & Last Name) BWST Swim-A-Thon" in the Gift Notes Section and to select "Blue Wave Swim Team" as the Y Location / Program

 

Swim-A-Thon Prizes: Check back regularly. This list will be updated as more prizes become available.

Lap Completion Prize

  • 100-200 laps swum = 100 Lap Bag Tag 
  • 200+ laps swum = 200 Lap Bag Tag 
  • Most Laps in your age group (Male & Female) - One Big Duck

 

Fundraising Prize From USA Swimming Foundation:

  • $400-$599.99 = Latex Swim-a-Thon Cap
  • $600-$799.99 = 24 oz. Carabiner Water Bottle
  • $800-$1099.99 = Tabletop Cornhole Set
  • $1100-$1399.99 = Oversized 100% UVA/UVB Sunglasses
  • $1400+ = Puffy Outdoor Blanket

 

Fundraising Prize From Blue Wave & Our Sponsors: Every $25 raised will earn athletes one entry. Athlets will receive 5 bonus entries for meeting their donation goal

For Total Fundraised:

  • Highest Fundraising Total - One Big Duck
  • 2nd Place Fundraiser - 12 Mini Ducks
  • 3rd Place Fundraiser - 6 Mini Ducks

 

Raffle Prizes (One prize per type per person)

  • Coach for a Day (1 per practice group - 4 total)
  • QT Free Drink Coupon (10 Coupons)
  • Jaegers Paintball
  • Jagers Laser Tag
  • Rapidos Gift Card
  • Fetterman's Gift Card
  • PJs Coffee Gift Card & Prizes

 

Check you current fundraising totals here!