BIDDEFORD — The Northern York County Manta Rays will swim a four hour
Splash A Thon on Feb. 4 to fundraise so that any local swimmer,
regardless of economic status, may enjoy access to YMCA. Last year,
$2.1 million USD in financial assistance was spread across the four
local branches of the YMCA, enabling any young Maine swimmer access to
a pool.
Erin Andersen, the Northern York County YMCA’s Aquatics Director said,
“the purpose of our annual campaign is to raise money which goes to
our financial assistance program. At the Y we’re for everyone, so we
never turn anyone away regardless of their ability to pay.”
Each Manta Ray will be collecting sponsors from now until the event.
Sponsoring a swimmer is as easy as pledging a dime per lap or giving a
set donation for participating. All proceeds collected will go to the
financial assistance program.
The money raised will be donated to the financial assistance program
of Biddeford and three local Y locations, ensuring the benefits will
be spread around the community, but expect a significant portion to
return back to Biddeford.
Andersen said, “in Biddeford there’s a need down here, so a good
amount of that financial aid is targeted here.”
The Splash a Thon is the swim team’s way of donating to the annual campaign.”
It is a wonderful aspect of sports that once all players are in the
pool, in the stadium, on the mat, etc., that competition is conducted
on as even a playing field as humans can construct, but getting
lower-income athletes to the proverbial field can be the most
difficult part. Most sports come pre-equipped with built in costs such
as equipment and registration fees that make access to organized
sports anything but a level playing field to those of lower-income
without programs like the YMCA’s financial assistance program.
“It’s great because not everyone needs financial assistance, but you
never know if the kid swimming in the lane next to you needs financial
assistance. It really allows everyone to participate in our swim team
and be a part of our Y,” said Andersen.
The Splash A Thon will be held Feb. 4 at noon at the Northern York
County YMCA in Biddeford. Donations may be made online, in-person at
the Northern York County YMCA office, or by sponsoring a Manta Ray.