Swim for Life attracts business sponsors

Provincetown Banner, August 6, 2009

It would seem that the hard economic times we are experiencing would impact Swim for Life business sponsors. If fact, the opposite has happened. The 22^nd annual fundraising event, set this year for September 12, has added three new business sponsors to its roster: Fanizzi’s Restaurant by the Sea, The Lobster Pot Restaurant, a Provincetown Tradition, and Seamen’s Bank. White Porch Inn, a member of Distinctive Inns of Provincetown, joins the event for its second year.

“The Swim represents every community value that the bank supports. We are a community bank, and we are proud to support this amazing event,” states Lori Meads, vice-president of marketing and administration. The bank is also selling Swim for Life t-shirts, (100% organic cotton), designed by artist Shirl Roccapriore, at its Commercial Street location.

Long-time business sponsors include: the Boatslip Resort, where the fundraising event has been held for twenty one years on its expansive deck on the water; The Provincetown Banner, which also provides newspaper space for weekly updates leading to September 12; Far Land Provisions, who caters the Mermaid Brunch on the Boatslip deck following the harbor crossing; and Paul Mitchell, who provides free samples and prizes. The fundraiser is also sponsored in part by the Provincetown Visitor Services Board.

Scores of businesses make donations or offer prizes for top swimmer fundraisers, and many pledge individual swimmers. Prizes lined up so far include: a five-day stay for two in central Amsterdam; two VIP passes to next year’s Provincetown International Film Festival; and, two round trip tickets, Boston/Provincetown, on Cape Air.

The 2008 Swim for Life & Paddler Flotilla raised $160,000 from over 300 swimmers and kayakers. Beneficiaries include the AIDS Support Group of Cape Cod, Helping Our Women, Outer Cape Health Services, Provincetown Rescue Squad, Lower Cape Ambulance, Soup Kitchen in Provincetown and the Academy at Provincetown High School.

This popular post-Labor Day celebration and quintessential community event will be held at the Boatslip Resort, 161 Commercial Street, and includes the Mermaid Brunch, entertainment and the awards ceremony. The Celebration of Life Concert will be held at the Meeting House on Friday evening. For the third year, local community radio station WOMR 92.1 FM (www.womr.org) will broadcast the event live and online from the Boatslip Resort, the beach and the starting line at Long Point.

For registration forms for swimmers, paddlers, security boaters, volunteers and sponsorship opportunities, or to make a donation, contact: Swim for Life, P.O. Box 819, Provincetown, MA 02657, 508-487-1930, email, thecompact@comcast.net, and at its website, www.swim4life.org.