Grand Rapids, MI – The Paul Goebel Group has joined with the YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids for the fourth 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.” (Estimated based on U.S. Census Bureau and YMCA aquatics program participants.)
Who: Paul Goebel Group and the YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids , leadership team, Meg Goebel, Jeff Elble, Jan Wierenga
What: Suits From Suits 2011 Kickoff Campaign
When: Monday April 25, 2011 at 10:30 AM
Where: David D. Hunting Family YMCA 475 Lake Michigan Drive N.W. Grand Rapids, MI 49504
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 Family YMCA; Wolverine World Wide Family Branch; South East YMCA; Visser Family Branch; 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 & YMCA Aquatics Fact Sheet
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
The YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids operates nine swimming pools.
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.
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