Dear Friends & Family,
We all have our fears. I used to be afraid of heights and snakes. Then I had my first child and my worst fear became my child drowning. At the time, I didn't have a personal story that should have brought on this intense fear... none of my friends or family members had children that drowned. It actually seemed a bit irrational and ridiculous to have such a fear.
Unfortunately, over the next three years two people I knew lost their young children in the water. I was no longer embarrassed by my fear and I embraced being the "crazy mom" at the pool and the lake, hovering over my kids unable to engage in conversation with other parents. I continue to keep my kids on the swim team, in swim lessons and we go over the water safety rules every time we swim (given Austin's hot temps this happens daily for about 6 months of the year!).
I feel blessed I am able to provide my children with this strength and education, in an effort to help prevent my greatest fear from coming true. I know some are not as fortunate. Many are unable to provide swim lessons for their children. Many are not aware of or given access to water safety rules. While all children are at risk of drowning, these children are even more exposed.
Five years ago I learned about the amazing organization, Colin's Hope, and I knew immediately I wanted to be a part of it. Colin's story (which you can read here: https://www.colinshope.org/about-us/colins-story/) left me with tears pouring down my face. Colin's story could be any child's story. What Colin's family is doing to better the world after their devastating loss is beyond admirable...beyond incredible. Truly.
The money raised by Colin's Hope is used to sponsor swim lessons and to increase water safety awareness throughout communities. Since 2008 Colin's Hope has helped to greatly reduce and in many cases completely eliminate childhood drownings and near drownings in some high risk zip codes.
To further help prevent childhood drowning I am joining Colin's Hope Athlete Ambassador Program and raising pledges to participate in the 2017 Colin's Hope Got2Swim Lake Travis event. On September 24th, my two girlfriends and I will participate in the event by swimming a 10k in Lake Travis. This is almost 6x longer than the swim portion of an Olympic Triathlon and totally 100% out of my comfort zone!!
Aside from my sister's organization, I have never felt comfortable "asking for money" for a cause. However, over the years I have watched Colin's family, who lost their 4-year old son, and the amazing staff at Colin's Hope, take the funds and dedicate their waking hours to drowning prevention across communities (spreading far beyond Austin, TX into many other cities and states). I'm in awe of their impact and I have committed to raising at least $500 in swim pledges to help them out with their 2017 efforts.
If you are able, your support and a donation would be greatly appreciated (and help keep me motivated during the final weeks of training for this event).
Any amount is appreciated... $1 per mile, $5 per mile, $10 per mile, $25 per mile, etc. Also, if you have a company that may be interested in sponsoring please let me know as there will be coverage of the swim on September 24th. You can donate by clicking the green DONATE button on the right side of this page.
Thank you for helping me reach my goal. I appreciate it. Colin's family appreciates it. And the family of every child we prevent/save from drowning appreciates it.
And as Colin would have said… Have the BEST DAY EVER!
With love and gratitude,
Megan
P.S. Please keep your children safe near, in and around the water by learning and putting the layers of protection below into place. You can find more water safety information here- https://www.colinshope.org/
Supporters | |||
Name | Date | Amount | Comments |
Juliet Leggate | 09/17/2017 | $20.00 | So proud of you girl!! Such an awesome cause!! | Ellinora Overton | 09/07/2017 | $25.00 | Awesome fundraising Megan! Have a Best Day Ever on the 24th! | Caroline Hedenberg | 07/18/2017 | $20.00 | Monica Puchner | 07/18/2017 | $50.00 | <3 <3 <3 | Lindsey Tishgart | 07/18/2017 | $25.00 | Go get em Meg! | Aurora Jones | 07/17/2017 | $20.00 | Such a great cause! | Luisa Williams | 07/16/2017 | $10.00 | Thanks for doing this! | Ryan Levesque | 07/14/2017 | $130.00 | Thank you for all that you're doing with this. We know of at least two children who were not fortunate to survive tragedies in the water. | Norman Cauntay | 07/14/2017 | $25.00 | A big concern for us as a family too and such a great cause. Thanks for doing this Megan! | James Mielnik | 07/14/2017 | $100.00 | I love you. | Randall Owen | 07/14/2017 | $50.00 | Go Go Megan! | Ashley McGee | 07/13/2017 | $50.00 | I love this cause Megan, so proud of you and all you have done to support it. | Aleksandra Gajdeczka | 07/13/2017 | $50.00 | You are a total badass and I'm proud to support you, friend! | Scott Queen | 07/13/2017 | $50.00 | Minna Billick | 07/12/2017 | $20.00 | Such an important cause. Go Megan! | Deanna Rankin | 07/12/2017 | $50.00 | Ashley Sorensen | 07/12/2017 | $20.00 | Great cause and a great woman supporting it! | Mark Kendrick | 07/12/2017 | $10.00 | Donated after I saw Scott Sproat's Facebook Post | Archana Myer | 07/12/2017 | $50.00 | Truly inspired by Colin's Hope and by YOU Megan! | Scott Sproat | 07/12/2017 | $20.00 | From the Spruttons! You go!! |
Total | $795.00 |