By Amy George
When I think back to my childhood summers, one thing sticks out in my mind – spending countless hours in our backyard swimming pool. I loved to swim, and during the summer, you could find me there every day, kicking and floating in the pool. It is a wonderful childhood memory!
I never could have imagined that something I loved doing as a child would turn into a lifesaving event named after my own daughter. Swim for Melissa is the signature event of the Melissa George Neonatal Memorial Fund, which is named in memory of my daughter who passed away on June 1st, 2005 in the Neonatal ICU at Huntsville Hospital for Women & Children. It’s also a fun event that focuses on something that children love to do – swim! All money raised at this event goes to Melissa’s Fund, to purchase lifesaving equipment for the Neonatal ICU at Huntsville Hospital for Women & Children. It’s all about children helping other children!
The 3rd annual Swim for Melissa and Miracle Bash is August 8 & 9, and we are gearing up for a big event! We kick the weekend off on Friday, August 8,with the Miracle Bash, an evening of live music, delicious buffet dinner and fabulous silent auction at The Westin Huntsville. Tickets are $65 per person or $125 per couple. Then on Saturday, August 9, the fun continues at Swim for Melissa at Hampton Cove Pool. Children ages 5-14 are invited to raise money for the Melissa George Neonatal Memorial Fund by taking part in a non-competitive swim. Those children are encouraged to form teams of eight to swim for the cause. In addition, we’ll also have many games and activities on the grounds of the Hampton House. It truly is a day of family fun!
Last year we launched a website that made raising money easier than ever! Swimmers were able to go online and create a page with their picture and a story about why they were swimming. Then they emailed their page’s link to their family and friends and asked them to make donations. We got donations from all across the United States, and even Canada!
Some of you may have children who were in the NICU but are too young to swim. That’s okay! Those children can still create a page on our website and ask for donations. We did this with my daughter Ann Catherine last year, and we raised more than $1,000! The website will launch on June 20; I encourage you to go check it out. If your child is interested in being a team captain, they’re invited to an informational lunch meeting on Thursday, June 26th at 12 p.m. to learn more about the event and website.
Last year’s event raised more than $117,000 for the Melissa George Neonatal Memorial Fund! We used that money to purchase three Giraffe OmniBeds for critically ill premature infants in the Neonatal ICU at Huntsville Hospital for Women & Children. We hope to raise even more money this year, and with your help, we will! If you have any questions about Swim for Melissa, please contact me at 256-265-8077 or email me. I hope to see you there!
on Jan 19th, 2009 at 9:53 am
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