Plans have been finalized for the third annual Swim-A-Thon in Manassas.
Recreation Manassas Inc. will sponsor the event, which has been renamed the Austin Haynes Swim-A-Thon in honor of the former chairman of the Manassas City’s Recreation and Parks Committee who began the Swim-A-Thon in 2007.
The event will take place at the Stonewall Pool on July 31 from noon to 8 p.m.
Funds raised from the event will go to support recreational activities and capital improvements, which the City Council was forced to cut during its downsizing in December.
During last year’s Swim-A-Thon, Haynes swam more than 20 miles in 20 hours and helped raise more than $7,000 for recreational activities in Manassas. He will also participate in this year’s swim, committing to 5.10 miles in honor his 51st birthday. Also participating are Recreation Manassas Inc.’s directors Gae Johnson, Dave Core and Ken Johnson.
Since the city closed down the Recreation and Parks Department and disbanded the Recreation and Parks Committee, Recreation Manassas is the only avenue for raising funds toward recreational activities and projects cut from the city’s budget.
Because of that, the Swim-A-Thon takes on a new dimension in 2009. Funds raised, besides going toward the planned spray ground at Stonewall Park, will also help fund 2010 camp scholarships for less affluent Manassas children and go toward rebuilding facilities at Byrd Park.
Area swim teams have been invited to participate and any other interested swimmers can call Gae Johnson at 703-330-1124 or e-mail recreationmanassas@comcast.net for sponsorship information.
Recreation Manassas is a nonprofit organization incorporated with a mission to raise funds for and promote recreational activities and projects in the city.
Staff write Bennie Scarton Jr. can be reached at 703-369-6707.
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