Wilmington, DE - The Nemours Swim4Kids with Michael Phelps fundraiser held on Saturday, October 16, 2010, at Thomas McKean High School in Wilmington, DE raised $74,000. Proceeds from this event will support the Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, DE, and Nemours’ KidsHealth.org, the #1 most-visited website in the world with health information for parents, kids, and teens.
“I started the Michael Phelps Foundation to give back by helping kids grow up healthy and active,” says 14-time Olympic Gold Medalist Michael Phelps. “I’m so happy to be a part of Nemours Swim4Kids because it benefits an organization that is committed to making kids healthy in so many ways.”
Swim4Kids is much like a traditional walk-a-thon, but in a pool. Individual swimmers or teams who raised a minimum of $1,000 were qualified for a 30-minute swim. Fundraising incentives included a swim cap autographed by Michael Phelps, a 30-minute swim clinic led by Phelps, and the opportunity to participate in a team relay with Michael Phelps in the pool. More than 150 swimmers participated in the event.
Following the swim-a-thon, swimmers were treated to an after-party hosted by Michael Phelps. Phelps answered questions from children about how he was afraid to stick his head underwater when he was younger to how setting goals keeps him motivated.
“The small things you do in the pool to help your stroke make a big difference. That is no different than what you do in your life, the small things you do today can make a big difference later,” stated Phelps as he addressed the more than 600 fans attending the after party event.