Dear Swim with Heart Community,
This is the time of the year in which many of us, including myself, pause to reflect on what we are most grateful for. With COVID, my own health issues, and everything we have been through in the last six years—I have spent a lot of time by myself reflecting on what I really want.Swim with Heart reflects what I wanted and aspired to, and it now feels bigger than me. I am grateful to all of you for supporting Swim with Heart and all that we work to accomplish. I am grateful for you as we go through the difficulties and successes; you are all an important part of us and cheering us on.
In the past, I felt like all decisions were all on me. It was a lonely place. Because of life’s tough lessons—specifically my stroke—I had to learn to ask for help and really depend on the kindness of others. As with life, sometimes we are met with enthusiasm and sometimes we are met with honest no’s. But your support has allowed for far more “yes”s than “no”s!
The support we have received throughout the many challenges has had an enormous impact:
~ Because of your support, we helped a newly relocated Ukraine family. We provided them with clothes, swimming lessons, and a fancy communal dinner from Bernard—their first LA BBQ—thank you Rod! Yes, this was outside of our focus, but it was something that allowed Swim with Heart to be part of a global effort.
~ Because of your support, we also helped a scientist from Mexico City to be the first in his family to learn how to swim, skills he will share with those in his community in Mexico.
~ Because of your support, Mira passed her Lifeguarding Course and continues to be an incredibly special part of our staff.
~ With your ongoing generosity this year, Swim with Heart has been able to continue to provide critical services, resources, and supplies to local families who desperately need our care.
Through it all, our instructors continually delivered services by providing resources and hope to our most severely challenged swimmers. It is extremely rewarding to see these swimmers defy norms and refuse to allow their diagnoses to keep them from achieving and becoming all they can be.
On Giving Tuesday, November 29, we raised $10,657.61
As of today, we have raised $54,148.80!Thank you to everyone who has supported us!We are on track to raise $100K but we still need your help to reach this goal.
It is not too late to donate! Every donation- even as little as $1- has an immense impact on our swimmers.
Please continue to share about Swim with Heart and keep us in your hearts. With YOUR support we know we can reach our goal of $100,000 by the end of 2022!
From the bottom of my heart, I can’t thank you enough for everything you’ve helped us achieve. I have great hopes for 2023 that with your support, the ripple effect of our caring can have a far-reaching influence in our community and beyond.
I wish you all a happy, healthy holiday season, filled with love and good cheer.
Keep swimming and GO SHARKS!
1, 2, 3… Go Sharks!
From the bottom of our hearts,
we wish you a very happy holiday season!
The Power of Diversity in Books
SPOTLIGHT: A big shoutout to Miles to Row!
Miles to Row is a unique children’s book club that features diverse stories, authors, and illustrators. Its mission is to make these books more accessible to all children. Miles to Row aims to spark important conversations, expand your library to reflect our diverse world, and build a community that represents us all. With every purchase, Miles to Row donates one of its diverse books to local schools, libraries, and nonprofits.
Co-founded by Swim with Heart parent Betsy Kelm Marsolin and named for her two sons, Miles and Ronan, Miles to Row donated books to give out to our lil’ Sharkies for the holidays and also to give to the family from Ukraine.
https://milestorow.com/
Thank YOU!!!
Many thanks to our awesome Swim With Heart Team!
Check out our social media — and FOLLOW US! >>>>
Visit our website for more information. www.swimwithheart.org
We also have a new TikTok channel: @swimwithheart.org
