Calling All Swimmers!

I can't believe it's time already. We're gearing up for the 3rd annual Swim for Melissa.

We've had an amazing response with teams, but we still have time slots available. Here's how your child can sign up.

We need kids, ages 5-14, to form teams of eight. Basically, they need to find seven family members or friends who will swim on their team. Then, they raise money for the Melissa George Neonatal Memorial Fund. Lastly, they show up at Hampton Cove Pool on Saturday, August 8th, to swim with their team. It's just a great family fun day! We have games and food on the grounds of the Hampton House for those who are taking part in Swim for Melissa.

We've made fundraising for this event incredibly quick and easy! Simply visit www.swimformelissa.org to register your team. Once you do, create your own web page. You can write your own personal story about why you are taking part, and even put your picture on your page (or you can simply use the default story). Once you've finished your page, send the email link to your family and friends and ask them to donate online. You'll be amazed at how quickly the donations will start pouring in!

Let's say you had a premature baby, but they aren't old enough to swim. No problem! They can still raise money online. When you go to www.swimformelissa.org, click on "Become a Participant." Once you fill out the information, choose "I do not want to join a team." You can still create your child's web page and send it out to your friends and family. We created a page for Ann Catherine last year, and received more than $1000 in donations. You and your child can still come to Swim for Melissa to enjoy the fun and games!

If your child is old enough to swim, I encourage you to form a team. If not, please create a page for your child, tell their personal story and help us raise money for Melissa's Fund. I know that many of you who read my blog had preemies. This is a wonderful way for you to give back to the Neonatal ICU at Huntsville Hospital for Women & Children.

We are having a Team Captain Kickoff Pizza Party on Thursday, June 26th at 12 p.m. on the 5th floor of Plaza Resource Center, so if you are forming a team, please call me or Susan Ready at 265-8077 or email amy.george@hhsys.org or susan.ready@hhsys.org to reserve your spot. We would love for you to attend the luncheon.

100% of the proceeds from this year's Swim for Melissa will go to purchase more Giraffe OmniBeds for the Neonatal ICU at Huntsville Hospital for Women & Children. This special beds are for the tiniest babies, most of them weighing less than two pounds. When we started Melissa's Fund in November 2005, the NICU at Huntsville Hospital didn't have any of these beds. So far, Melissa's Fund has purchased seven of them. I am so proud of that. We hope to purchase even more through this year's event!

If you have any questions, please give me a call or drop me an email. I hope you can partner with us as we try to help save the tiniest babies!