By Linda Sheridan
Orcas Rec Coordinator

As our last week of swimming lessons finish up it is my job to decide if Orcas Rec can afford to host another session of lessons. Although we have a waiting list of children who want to take lessons, we struggle with the cost of this program because it exceeds the amount that we make from the user fees.  We need a $500 sponsor (or several small sponsors) to help off-set the costs of our next swimming session, which we hope to offer in February.

Suzey Frank has been teaching kids how to swim on Orcas for over 10 years and she does an amazing job with all ages and with all swimming abilities. I asked her to tell me about a success story from swimming and she talked for over 20 minutes about all of the wonderful kids she has seen excel in her lessons. The pride in her voice was evident, and more than once she said “each and every kid who swims is a success story.”

Suzey knows how scary getting in the pool for the first time can be for kids, but she also knows just how to make kids comfortable and confident in the water. I am sure that we agree that swimming is more than just a sport; it is a lifelong skill that all children should have the opportunity to learn.

If you would like to be a sponsor for our swim program or if you would like to make an end of the year donation to Orcas Rec please send your checks to OIRP, PO Box 1644 Eastsound WA 98245. Thanks for your support! PS A new program we are offering is a Boy’s 5th and 6th grade Basketball program starting December 15th. If you are interested check out our website at www.orcasrec.org

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