2026 Swim-a-Thon
Rainier Foothills Swim Team to host an Official Swim-a-Thon™ at the Enumclaw Pool on April 4, 2026
This event will raise funds to support Rainier Foothills Swim Team and the USA Swim Foundation
RFST will be holding an official Swim-a-Thon on April 4, 2026 at the Enumclaw Pool.
During the Swim-a-Thon swimmers will have a 2-hour period to swim up to 200 lengths. Donors are encouraged to support our athletes by either a flat donation, or by pledging a certain amount of money per length that the swimmer completes.
The Swim-a-Thon will provide funds to help our club pay for coach's travel, pool time, and new/replacement equipment (fins, paddles, pull buoys, stretch cords, etc.).
In addition to raising funds for the team, 5% of the money raised will go back to the USA Swimming Foundation. The Foundation works to strengthen the sport of swimming by saving lives and building champions—in the pool and in life. Whether they’re equipping kids across the country with the lifesaving skill of learn-to-swim through their Make a Splash initiative, or providing financial support to the heroes on the U.S. National Team, the USA Swimming Foundation aims to provide the wonderful experience of swimming to kids at all levels across the country.
Swim-a-Thon™ is the only pledge-for-length swimming program recognized by the USA Swimming Foundation. Since 1998, Swim-a-Thons have generated more than $74.4 million for swim clubs and swim programs across the country.
What We need from You
In order to make this Swim-a-Thon a success we would like to have 100% commitment to this event. If you are unable to make it to the day of the event, we still are going to ask you to fundraise, but only ask for flat donations instead of per lap donations. This is an excellent way for our team to earn funds to help the team with pool costs, coach's travel expenses and new equipment that the team needs. At our last Swim-a-Thon we set a goal to raise $8000 and surpassed that by raising $12,450. This year we will be doing the same, setting our goal at $8,000 with a goal to surpass that number. Another goal we are setting this year is to have 100% participation. We are asking for 100% participation because all of the funds we raise go to something that benefits the entire team.
Swim-a-Thon Fundraising has gone completly on line. While there is the option for donors to donate by check or cash, we REALLY encourage people to donate online. It helps streamline the process and saves many many hours of accounting/submissions on our end. There is a flat fee of $3.95 per online donation that we're asking the donor to absorb $2.95 of and the team will absorb the remaining $1. But, checks and cash are still welcome, as we understand many still like to offer cash/checks as an option. If someone would like to write a check, PLEASE HAVE THE DONOR MAKE THE CHECK OUT TO RFST. NOT USA SWIMMING and write the swimmer's name + "swimathon" on the memo line. The team is charged $1 per check/cash submission that we will absorb. We are unable to pass that fee to the donor.
If collecting any cash or check donations, donors will not have to pay until after the event is completed. Pledges will have two weeks after the day of the event to pay their pledge.
The event will be posted to the team site under events. Since we are asking for 100% participation every swimmer on the team will be added as committed. If you are unable to attend the day of the event, please leave a comment by their name saying fundraise only, or email one of the coaches. If you do not leave a comment or email a coach we will expect to see them at the Swim-a-Thon on March 11, 2023 with pledges.
If you have any questions email [email protected]
Prizes from USA Swimming- subject to change/substitution by USA Swimming Foundation
Swimmers who swim 100 lengths will receive a 100 lengths bag tag
Swimmers who swim 200 lengths will receive a 200 lengths bag tag
Swimmers raising $400-$599.99 receive a USA Swimming Ralley Towel
Swimmers who raise $600-$799.99 receive a Swim-a-Thon Stainless Steel water bottle
Swimmers who raise $800-$1199.99 receive a Swim-a-Thon swim cap
Swimmers who raise $1200 or more receive a Swim-a-Thon Pool Towel
I will also be working on lining up some team prizes or some sort of raffle that will be held during the event. More details soon on those fronts.
