Monday, February 6, 2023
SwimMAC Carolina Utilizes Community Outreach in Swim-a-Thon Success
Coach-curated playlists, pie in the face and a breakfast tailgate … These are just a few of the unique efforts that make the Swim-a-Thon efforts by SwimMAC Carolina so successful.
USA Swimming’s Swim-a-Thon is an engaging and fun way for teams to raise money for their program. Athletes raise money by asking family, friends, neighbors and businesses to pledge money per length of the pool swam or supporting their swimming efforts with a flat donation. Swim-a-Thon participants earn unique prizes from the USA Swimming Foundation. The top four teams in each category (based on size) are entered into the grand prize drawing which includes an in-person visit from a member of the U.S. National Team.
A USA Swimming and North Carolina Swimming member, the SwimMAC program is designed to build competitive swimmers and great student-athletes from seven years old through high school graduation. Operated by a professional staff of over 30 coaches and Board of Directors governed, with support from family volunteers through the year, SwimMAC was established in 1977 and currently serves over 700 swimmers of all levels. The organization puts emphasis on family commitment for the long-term growth of the swimmers and the organizational goals.
Jaime Daniell has been involved with SwimMAC as a parent for nearly a decade. She joined the Board of Directors in August 2022 with notable experience in community fundraising and development. Head Coach and Director of Competitive Swimming Chuck Batchelor challenged Daniell and her planning group to beat the all-time Swim-a-Thon record of $150,800, set by Rose Bowl Aquatics in 2016. Daniell put it simply, “Challenge accepted. I don’t lose.”
In 2022, SwimMAC raised $152,289.85, setting an event record. The gifts ranged from $10 to $2,000 and led to a donation of more than $7,000 to the USA Swimming Foundation. On Swim-a-Thon day, the club saw approximately 500 swimmers on deck, logging more than 100,000 laps completed between all age groups and sessions.
“Communication and consistent messaging are key to our success,” Daniell said. “We’re sending weekly emails, talking to parents and families on deck and educating our coaches and staff. Our Swim-a-Thon truly takes a village. We rely on the time and gifts of so many in our community. The effort we see, and the smiles on the day of our event – it’s remarkable. The community outreach and contribution far outweigh the laps swam.”
Daniell and her working group aimed for ingenuity; what could they offer and achieve with the resources they had available to them. How could they keep the swimmers, coaches and the families engaged in the ultimate goal of breaking the record.
“We took a big goal and broke it down to smaller goals,” Daniell said. “We had prizes for coaches who led the age group that raised the most money that week. We established an employer matching program. After a hiatus during the global pandemic, we wanted to make the day an event with energy, music, engaging food and activities.”
Batchelor continued the outside-the-box thinking. A passionate foodie, he’ll be cooking and catering a gourmet meal for the 13 and older top fundraisers. For the 12 and younger group, those top fundraisers will be rewarded with a training session with Batchelor in a brand-new local facility, followed by a Batchelor-made pancake breakfast.
With the funds raised, SwimMAC is planning facility improvements focused on technology and training to enhance the swimmers’ experience.
For more information on Swim-a-Thon, visit here. To donate to the USA Swimming Foundation, visit here.
USA Swimming’s Swim-a-Thon is an engaging and fun way for teams to raise money for their program. Athletes raise money by asking family, friends, neighbors and businesses to pledge money per length of the pool swam or supporting their swimming efforts with a flat donation. Swim-a-Thon participants earn unique prizes from the USA Swimming Foundation. The top four teams in each category (based on size) are entered into the grand prize drawing which includes an in-person visit from a member of the U.S. National Team.
A USA Swimming and North Carolina Swimming member, the SwimMAC program is designed to build competitive swimmers and great student-athletes from seven years old through high school graduation. Operated by a professional staff of over 30 coaches and Board of Directors governed, with support from family volunteers through the year, SwimMAC was established in 1977 and currently serves over 700 swimmers of all levels. The organization puts emphasis on family commitment for the long-term growth of the swimmers and the organizational goals.
Jaime Daniell has been involved with SwimMAC as a parent for nearly a decade. She joined the Board of Directors in August 2022 with notable experience in community fundraising and development. Head Coach and Director of Competitive Swimming Chuck Batchelor challenged Daniell and her planning group to beat the all-time Swim-a-Thon record of $150,800, set by Rose Bowl Aquatics in 2016. Daniell put it simply, “Challenge accepted. I don’t lose.”
In 2022, SwimMAC raised $152,289.85, setting an event record. The gifts ranged from $10 to $2,000 and led to a donation of more than $7,000 to the USA Swimming Foundation. On Swim-a-Thon day, the club saw approximately 500 swimmers on deck, logging more than 100,000 laps completed between all age groups and sessions.
“Communication and consistent messaging are key to our success,” Daniell said. “We’re sending weekly emails, talking to parents and families on deck and educating our coaches and staff. Our Swim-a-Thon truly takes a village. We rely on the time and gifts of so many in our community. The effort we see, and the smiles on the day of our event – it’s remarkable. The community outreach and contribution far outweigh the laps swam.”
Daniell and her working group aimed for ingenuity; what could they offer and achieve with the resources they had available to them. How could they keep the swimmers, coaches and the families engaged in the ultimate goal of breaking the record.
“We took a big goal and broke it down to smaller goals,” Daniell said. “We had prizes for coaches who led the age group that raised the most money that week. We established an employer matching program. After a hiatus during the global pandemic, we wanted to make the day an event with energy, music, engaging food and activities.”
Batchelor continued the outside-the-box thinking. A passionate foodie, he’ll be cooking and catering a gourmet meal for the 13 and older top fundraisers. For the 12 and younger group, those top fundraisers will be rewarded with a training session with Batchelor in a brand-new local facility, followed by a Batchelor-made pancake breakfast.
With the funds raised, SwimMAC is planning facility improvements focused on technology and training to enhance the swimmers’ experience.
For more information on Swim-a-Thon, visit here. To donate to the USA Swimming Foundation, visit here.