Blue Wave Swim-A-Thon & Pizza Party

Swim-A-Thon FAQ’s

Blue Wave Swim-A-Thon & Pizza Party

When: Friday, February 1, 2013

Where: Vivion Road Family YMCA

Time: Normal practice times (check in 15min early)

3:30pm Seniors1 & 2 groups swim

5:00pm Pizza in the gym for 1st session

5:30pm Gold, Silver, Bronze, & Blue groups swim

7:00pm Pizza in the gym for 2nd session

What is a Swim-A-Thon?

Swim-A-Thon is a USA Swimming sponsored fundraiser in which participants earn money for their team byswimming lengths of the pool. Swimmers have a two-hour period to swim a maximum of200 lengths. Participants get pledges from businesses, family, neighbors, etc. prior to swimming. 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.

95% of the proceeds will go back to Blue Wave; therefore, benefits of this program are phenomenal!! The other 5% goes to USA Swimming to help support the national governing body of swimming. In addition to this being an exciting fundraiser event, it is also a fantastic opportunity for our Blue Wave swimmers to socialize and have a fun time doing what they love best – SWIM!

PRIZES!

Blue Wave prizes:

1st Place:Ipad Mini

2nd Place:Speedo Fastskin

3rd PlaceSwim Bag

USA Swimming prizes:

1. $500-749.99 earns swimmers a USA Swimming t-shirt

2. $750-999.99 earns swimmers a USA Swimming towel

3. $1000.00 + earns swimmers a USA Swimming bag

NOTE: In the event of a tie a drawing will be held for the winner.

Prizes will be ordered and distributed after all monies are sent into USAS.

Do we have to participate?

Since this is our only fundraiser for the team, every swimmer is expected to participate. There will be a mandatory $75.00 per swimmer or $100.00 per family contribution. Your family account will be billed accordingly by February 15, 2013.

How do I get Pledges?

This year we will be launching a fantastic new way to support our team via Team Unify’sonline fundraising tool. Everyone is expected to use this form of campaigning. The great news is that it's extremely easy and fun to participate and promote with powerful fundraising software to help you manage the entire process. Everything is right inside website. If you can point, click and type, you are all set!

You'll be able to:

Send emails to all potential donors with one click credit card processing link
Create unique personalized donor landing pages for your kids. Help impress donors to give!
Utilize sample content and images for that unique and fun look. No invention required!
Easily upload contacts and send emails in just a few clicks. Increase exposure!
Add and track offline donors with ease for administrator approval. Track every dollar raised!
Track all donor donations for each of your child[ren]. Keep everyone motivated!
View real-time results for incentive awards attainment for your kids. Even more motivation!

By using email to reach out to your family, friends, teachers, neighbors, business associates etc there is no limit to the amount of contributions you can earn for your team. Instructions are in your emailwith a link and step by step procedures to set up your swimmers individual profile and starting campaigning. This new tool makes it fast, easy and fun!

What if I have a check or cash donation?

It is strongly encouraged that swimmers promote the online electronic credit card donating process by sending emails to friends and family. All forms of payment will be accepted. If you have a check or cash pledge all money should be placed in a pledge envelope. Envelopes were placed in your mail folders.

It is required that families add every check/cash donation into the Team Unify platform as an ‘offline donation’. This is so every dollar is accounted for. Credit card donations are automatically added to the platform and do not need to be manually entered.

To add an offline donation, go to your swimmers profile from the website. Use the ‘Add Offline Donor’ button to add a donor who does not go through the site to donate money.

NOTE: Every check & cash donation MUST be entered into Team Unify platform as an offline donation.

All checks should be made payable to the YMCA. Donors address is required on the pledge envelope. Money should be placed in a pledge envelope and turned in at the time of the Swim-A-Thon.

Swim-A-Thon Pledge Forms/ Envelopes

Everyone should be using Team Unify’sfundraising tool and therefore should not need an envelope, however, if you collect check or cash a pledge envelope is required. Envelopes were placed in your mail folders.

To add a donation, go to your swimmers profile from the website. Use the ‘Add Offline Donor’ button to add a donor who does not go through the site to donate money.

Again, it is strongly encouraged that swimmers promote the online electronic credit card donating process.

All checks should be made payable to the YMCA. Donors address is required on the envelope. Money should be placed in a pledge envelopeand turned in at the time of the Swim-A-Thon.

How much money should we raise?

As much as you can!! There is no limit to what you can raise. With Team Unify’sonline fundraising it’s easy to send emails to friends, family and coworkers. We have some great prizes too! Help us meet our team goal of $8,000. Check our website for live results! A team effort is needed by everyone toaccomplish our goal.

Where does the money go?

Your donations help to offset team fees (i.e., equipment, meet software, training and travel costs) and to assist the YMCA in fulfilling their mission of making sure that everyone, income or background, has the opportunity to thrive at the Y.

Where do we turn in the money?

The benefit of using the Team Unify platform is that all donations are done electronically. It’s that easy! Everyone should be using this awesome fundraising tool!

Cash and check donations need to be manually added to the Team Unify platformand the money placed in a pledge envelope to be turned in at the Swim-A-Thon.

How long do we have to raise money?

Pledges will be accepted through February 8, 2013.

What time do swimmers show up?

Check-in 15min prior to regular practice time: 330pmSeniors & 5:30pm for Age Groups.

Where do I check-in?

Checkin at YMCA gym 15mins prior to start time to obtain lane assignment and number.

What lane do I swim in?

Swimmers will be assigned a laneand will need to check-in at the gym.

What will I need to bring with me?

Bring your Swim-a-Thon pledge sheet, water bottle, goggles, fins, and towel.

What if I cannot attend the Swim-A-Thon?

We would like for everyone to attend but understand if you are unavailable. Please fill out a Pledge Envelopewith your families’ contribution and turn it in to the Welcome Center no later than February 8, 2013.

Pizza

Pizza for the Senior 1 & 2 groups will be available in the gym at 5:00pm. If you volunteered to bring pizza, drinks or supplies please have them at the Y by 4:45pm.

Pizza for the Gold, Silver, Bronze and Blue groups will be available in the gym at 7:00pm. If you volunteered to bring pizza please have them at the Y by 6:45pm.

Additional Guidelines:

Swimmers may use any stroke, with or without fins, and may change strokes at any time during the Swim-a-Thon.
Swimmers are allowed a maximum of 2 hours to swim as many laps as possible.
Swimmers may rest at either end of the pool, but any lengths in which the swimmer walks on the pool bottom will not be counted. Age 10 and under swimmers may hold on to the ropes or pool walls to rest, but may not pull along.
Swimmers must remain in the water at all times during the Swim-a-Thon. Please use the restroom prior to the start of Swim-A-Thon.
Volunteers please arriveon time for a quick orientation of jobs.

Thank you for supporting the Blue Wave Swim Team!