‘Swimming to Raise Funds’ efforts accepting donations
On June 16, the fifth annual Swim with a Mission will take place. For the fifth year in a row, Thom Pear will head up a team of endurance swimmers from Southwest Florida to brave the waters of Key West to raise funds for the Haven of Hope (HOHI) Orphanage in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. This year they hope to raise $5,000 to buy much-needed computers for the orphanage. All donations received will go to fund this program.
Julia Wreski will solo swim the entire circumference of Key West. Chiqui Zabala and Heather Roko are also back this year. Together with new swimmers Tori Page and Megan Corredor, they will form two relay teams to swim the circumference of the Island.
The swim is long and challenging, a distance of 12.5 miles.
For many orphans, when they turn 18, they must leave the orphanage and enter the workforce. Without skills, there is a high probability that they will return to the streets and a life of poverty, officials say, adding that 60-70 percent of orphans aging out will turn to crime to survive, and 10 percent commit suicide.
The computers are a part of HOHI’s Computer Training Program that will teach the children basic computer skills for their overall development and advance their ability to compete in the academic and vocational arenas. HOHI’s vision is sustainable orphanages raising up a generation that will positively impact their world. We hope you can help support our swim and these deserving children.
To donate to Swim with a Mission go to firstgiving.com/event/393019/Swim-with-a-Mission .