According to newly elected Pool President Lisa Carney, some bad weather during the sealant process a few years ago is causing it to peel up again today. Although the total cost to fix the issue is around $100,000, the pool will only be held accountable for $40,000.
The first fundraiser to raise the needed funds will be the "Fill the Pool" event. Pool lifeguards will walk in the Willapa Harbor Festival Parade, August 2, with donation cans in an effort to completely fill a kiddy pool with money.
Later on August 2, the pool will be open for a free swim, with donations appreciated. Along with the free swim, the community is invited to tour the pool.
“People who have never seen the inside of the pool don't know why we need $40,000 for a new seal, which is above and beyond our operating costs," Carney explained.
Secondly, the pool will be contacting local businesses to enroll them in a dollar campaign. Participating businesses will then request dollar donations from customers, and those who donate will have the opportunity to sign a life preserver displayed at the business.
The pool will also be sending out a letter campaign, requesting donations from all around the area by mail.
A change from past years, the pool will not be handling a dinner auction fundraiser this year.
Pool Vice President Jim Carney has made his focus to try to find grants to which the pool may be eligible.
“We need something more than just what our community can do. We can’t strain our community. We realize that there are hundreds of things you could be donating to, so many things that are needed," Lisa Carney said. In addition, she will be continuing the program with Everybody's Supermarket, where 1% of every receipt is donated to the pool – be sure to take your receipts to the pool.
The pool is a great thing to keep in the community for a variety of reasons, she explained. "It is one of the largest employers for youth in the area, and they do their own training and certifying of lifeguards here on site. The pool is also a huge contributor to the decrease of drowning rates in the area, because we are teaching kids to be safe in the water," she said. The pool provides a safe place for the kids of the area to be during the summer, when they aren't in school.
Along with lessons, the pool offers water therapy and rehabilitation Monday through Friday, three times a day. Aaron Carney, co-manager and son of Lisa and Jim, has put together a swim team, called the "Aquasox" which practices on weekdays in the morning. Aaron's team competes in a meet at least twice a year and they have run their own meets, getting volunteers to run the lines and the timer.
To donate to the pool, send donations to: POOL P.O. Box 249 Raymond, WA, 98577.