Team Purple Rain won Best Theme during the inaugural LalaPOOLooza fundraiser. Pictured are team captain Lisa Nicholson, John Luhn, Pam Harrison, Jeanie Daves, Wyatt Nicholson, Susan Johnson, Stan Wilbanks, David Heidrich, and Robin Wilks.
Twenty-six enthusiastic volunteers donned swimsuits and smiles for the first ever LalaPOOLooza fundraiser in Habersham. The event was held May 4 at the Ruby C. Fulbright Aquatic Center in Clarkesville. While there were a few former competitive swimmers on the blocks, most who participated just wanted to help.
And they did.
All total, the four teams that registered for the event raised $10,000 to support the Family Resource Center in Clarkesville.
They met their goal, says FRC Executive Director Jennifer Stein. “Feedback showed everyone loved the unique event and they cannot wait to compete again next year,” she says.
A unique fundraiser
A unique fundraiser is exactly what organizers say they were going for when they came up with the idea for this adult swim meet.
Local businesswoman and Family Resource Center board member Sherry Donnelly was a driving force behind LalaPOOLooza. She started swimming for exercise several years ago. Along the way she met other avid swimmers in the area. The idea for an adult swim meet was a natural offshoot of their shared enjoyment of the sport.
Donnelly says some of the swimmers who participated this year “think it’s the Olympics.” Others, she says, “just want to support Prevent Child Abuse and the Family Resource Center.”
Age limits and wildcards
The rules limited teams to between 5-10 members. All but two members on each team had to be at least 30 years old. The two “wildcard” members could be between 20 and 29 years old.
The average age of one of the teams was 65.
Each team selected its own name and dressed to fit the theme. There was Splash Wars, Purple Rain, Shark Tank, and McSwamit. They faced off in eight events including the 25, 50, 100, and 500 Freestyle; the 200 Free Relay; 50 Yard Swimmers Choice; 100 Medley Relay; and 200 Jeans Relay. The events were professionally timed.
Each event had a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winner. Team awards were also handed out for Best Theme (Purple Rain), Highest Overall Team Points (McSwamit), and Most Money Raised (McSwamit).
(photos/Facebook)
