They say a picture is worth a thousand words…
Swimming Alcatraz Saturday, September 22, 2012
We did it.
$29,382 raised, one chilly swim, and the best birthday present I could ever ask for: clean water for more than 1400 people.
We had more than 400 people donate, over 100 people showed up to the party, and another 50+ companies and individuals donated time, prizes, and energy. This was not the action of a single individual. You all made this happen. Thank you for helping me making it rain: we raised nearly 30K for charity: water in just under three months.
And on Saturday morning, September 22nd, 2012: I woke up at 5 AM, got into a boat with my friends Andi, Alyssa, Laura and my mom, and, as promised, dropped into the cold water at 6:45 AM to swim from Alcatraz to San Francisco wearing nothing but my birthday suit and a swim cap (scroll down for pictures…).
I’ve learned so much, and gained so much, and I hope you all have enjoyed this as much as I have.
To be honest, I’ll be sleeping for the next few days–as well as catching up on work, because even though my company was amazing about letting me take time off last week (they were excited about the swim, too!), now I’ve got to get back and make sure to keep doing the work.
And right now, all I can think is this:
“No one could make a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could do only a little.”
–Edmund Burke
This happened not from one person, but from the collective action of many hands–from all of YOU. For everyone that donated $5, $10, $29, and $100: thank you.
To the incredible donors that pitched in $290, $1000, and even $2900 because they could afford to and wanted to: bless you.
Thank you.
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Holy amazing! Huge congratulations & I”m so proud to be a part of this project :)
So Amazing. Congrats :D You Crushed It!
You are one inspiring lady – woohoo and congrats from the UK! That is some serious swimming! x
Congratulations Sarah, on both the swim and the fundraising!
That top photo looks amazing!
Wait, in the post it says Saturday, September 20 – wasn’t Saturday the 22nd? Was it Saturday or the 20th? :-D Congratulations Sarah, what an awesome accomplishment!
Eep! You’re right. I had the dates typed wrong. The party was on the 20th, the swim was Saturday, Sept 22nd. Thanks for catching that!
Well done Sarah, you should be very proud :)
Sarah, WOW! What you’ve done is incredible. So uplifting to read and I’m so thrilled that you met your goal. You are an inspiration. I write about swimmers doing similar feats in the 1920s and 1930s–but you don’t hear much about this sort of activism today. It’s amazing–wonderful photos. Curious: first: how cold was the water? Second: is it too late to donate? People might be really interested in donating as they come across this.
Happy Birthday!!!! So proud of you & happy that you met your goal plus some!!! Birthday blessings!!!!!
Yay for you Sarah. When I contributed, I felt sure you would end up reaching your goal. You are so inspiring — and one of the reasons I’m hoping to get a ticket to next year’s WDS. You are truly making a difference — in many ways.
Thanks, Becky!! I wasn’t so sure that I was going to get there, but I am so dang excited that we did!
Congratulations! Well done!
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