It is a fundraising event during which swimmers seek sponsors for swimming lengths of the pool during a two hour period. The maximum number of lengths is 200, or 5,000 yards. Sponsors may pledge either per length or simply make a flat donation.

This year the proceeds will go towards completing the pool house bathrooms. Our goal is to raise $25,000.00 through this event.

Dear Swimmers and Parents,

We have just a few days until our Poolathon on March 1 st . We will close the pool to the public that day at noon so that we can do our laps between anytime between 12 and 3pm. If you cannot make that time or day, let me know and we will schedule a make-up. We will have refreshments and prizes for our swimmers and sponsors.

This year, the funds raised will go towards finishing our bathrooms. Hot showers and partitions for the toilets and showers would be great wouldn't it? We need everyone's help in making this Poolathon as successful as years past. If you are having trouble getting sponsors, call me and I will give you people that are interested in donating to our swimmers. If we all participate a little bit of work will be spread out among a lot of people and those bathrooms can be finished before spring break!!!

A few details that you may be asked:

• Sponsors can pledge a set amount or pledge per lap.  Most find it easier to write a check right away and be finished.  Either way is fine.
• Swimmers set their own swimming goals.  If a swimmer is unsure what goal to set, they can ask Leslie @ practice.
• The name of each sponsor that pledges $25 or more will be placed in a raffle for partial pool memberships.  If a sponsors pledges $50, their name will be entered twice – 3 x's for $75 and so on.
• We encourage each family to aim to raise at least $250.  The $25 raffle is an incentive for a minimum $25 donation.  With this, it doesn't take long to get to $250.

We always have some swimmers manage to raise $500-$1,000.  If people have trouble getting sponsors, they can talk to Leslie at the pool.  She has names of     

people who have sponsored in the past that need to be called and will probably be glad to sponsor a swimmer again.

• Swimmers should bring their pledge sheets with them when they come to swim @ the Pool-a-Thon.  If they need to collect some of their pledges afterwards, that's fine.

It might help to share some of the following information:

• We hope to be able to complete the bathrooms and the tiling in the pool house after this year's pool-a-thon.
• If people would like information on the pool project, along with pictures to share with sponsors, they can go to www.rockbridgeswims.org . 

Please call me, Ruth Kitchen at 463-3334 if you have any questions.  Thanks so much for your help.