Grand Rapids, MI – The Paul Goebel Group has joined with the YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids for the fifth year in a row to sponsor Suits From Suits, an innovative program to collect and distribute gently used swimsuits for boys and girls, ages 6 to 10, so that children will have the proper swimwear needed to participate in YMCA aquatics programs.

Meg Goebel, President of the Paul Goebel Group, states, “It’s estimated that the approximately 15,000* children, ages 6 to 10, who live in the core city of Grand Rapids, have never taken a safety class to develop a healthy respect for the water. They’ve never taken swimming lessons that will keep them safe as they have fun in the water. And they don’t have proper swimwear. This is why the Paul Goebel Group is underwriting the cost of providing 150 children with swimsuits, water safety instruction, swimming lessons and transportation to the YMCA.”

The Paul Goebel Group is encouraging business professionals (aka “Suits”) throughout the area to participate in Suits From Suits, either by donating swimsuits or making a $50 contribution that will provide a child with swimwear, aquatic safety training, swimming lessons—and a memorable summer. Make checks payable to: Suits From Suits YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids.

Says Jan Wierenga, Executive Vice President of the YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids, “Summer will be here before you know it. I encourage parents, who will soon take their children shopping for new swimwear, to take a moment to collect outgrown and unused swimsuits.”

Donated suits are being collected at the following drop-off locations: David D. Hunting YMCA; Wolverine World Wide Family YMCA; Southeast YMCA; Spartan Stores YMCA, Visser Family YMCA; and the Waters Building in Kent County. Financial donations to Suits From Suits can be sent to the YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids, 475 Lake Michigan Drive NW, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49504.

Suits From Suits projects 15,000* children ages 6 to 10 will need swimsuits

If people would rather donate $50, the money will provide the following:

• A new swimsuit
• Water safety instruction
• Swimming lessons

Financial donations to Suits From Suits can be sent to the YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids, 475 Lake Michigan Drive NW, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49504.

• The YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids conducts upwards of 1,000 aquatic programs per year.

• The YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids aquatics department employs approximately 200 to 250 lifeguards and other full and part-time staff in operating the swimming pools and at YMCA Camp Manitou-Lin

• The YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids offers a variety of financial aid programs so that everyone can participate in the aquatics programs

*Estimated based on U.S. Census Bureau and YMCA aquatics program participants.