SURREY — A Surrey swim club feeling like it has been swimming upstream just got a big boost from a local car dealership.
The Surrey Sea Lions Swim Club is the second group to receive $3,000 from Go Dodge Surrey as part of the auto dealer’s new initiative to make a monthly donation to a deserving non-profit organization.
Each month for a full year, a winner is being selected by a panel of three judges, from nominations submitted by the community. Applications for the monthly award from Go Dodge Surrey can be completed online at Gododgesurrey.ca/givesback. The award is open to community service providers, sports associations, social groups and other non-profits.
Beth Jesperson has been the club's president since September and was at the Surrey dealership Monday morning to accept the cheque. She says the money will definitely be put to good use.
"It means some new equipment for us," said Jesperson, who added it may also help keep fees low for parents.
Jesperson says the Sea Lions are one of the oldest swim clubs in B.C. but they are also one of the smallest, which means there is not a lot of money to go around.
The club, which started in 1971 with about 60 swimmers, has been swimming out of Bear Creek Park pool in the summer and at North Surrey Recreation Centre in the winter for many years. Pool rental costs go up every year even if only a small amount. Jesperson said the executive team tries hard to keep registration costs down for families but with rising pool costs, it’s tough to do.
Plus, the club has been using obsolete equipment for years (things like lane ropes, starting blocks, training equipment and pace clocks) and has not been able to replace it due to a lack of funds.
Jesperson said Go Dodge Surrey's donation came as exciting news for the club, which is always looking for new members and parent volunteers, not to mention new ways to raise money.
CLICK HERE for more information about the Surrey Sea Lions.
Did you know?
The Surrey Sea Lions Swim Club holds an annual competition every summer. This event hosts about 500 swimmers and their families from the Fraser South Region in preparation for regional and provincial swims.
With the exception of paid coaches, the program is run entirely by parent volunteers.