Swim for Service August 14 to Support Catonsville VFW Post 219

CATONSVILLE, MD (July 17, 2013) -- The public and businesses are invited to participate in and/or pledge support for Swim for Service, an August 14, lap-a-thon to honor military veterans.

The event will be held from 1-3 p.m. in the Charlestown retirement community’s indoor pool, 719 Maiden Choice Lane in Catonsville, MD. All proceeds will benefit Catonsville VWF Post 219.

Online sign-up and/or charitable support can be made by visiting the Swim for Service web site: www.SwimforService.com

Participants are responsible for gathering pledges from sponsors. The event is otherwise free for participants. Swimmers of all ages and abilities are welcome.

The Orioles mascot bird will “raft” his way across the pool in a ceremonial first lap to kick-off the event.  Embroidme of Catonsville, a professional custom clothing design company, is donating 144 t-shirts for the event.

“People can swim one lap or100 laps --  it’s completely up to them,” said Michael Bodley, a Catonsville resident and student at Elon University who is coordinating the event as part of his summer internship with Erickson Living’s Corporate Affairs department.  

All participants will be given t-shirts, and the person swimming the most laps in each age group will be recognized. The winning team will also be recognized. Pool lanes will be divided according to speed, said Bodley, who is a lifeguard at a Catonsville pool.