by Lisa DiGiorgio | Apr 28, 2020 | News
The COVID crisis has caused many things in our lives to be postponed. And although activities like swimming at state park beaches, community pools, and boating may be off the table for many of us this summer, this doesn’t negate the critical need for a place where our island kids can safely learn and practice swimming skills.
We understand that pressing community needs for services and support take precedence right now. We are inspired by the generosity of those stepping up to help others in need. We believe we’ll come out of this time with a deeper appreciation for what really matters: that we might consume less and connect more; that we might take better care of ourselves and view health through a new lens. That’s one of the reasons we’re more determined than ever to reach our funding goals and build the pool.
Pool construction can begin as soon as we reach our fundraising goal. Being able to break ground will provide much-needed jobs on Lopez, and will help ensure a safer future for our kids and a healthier future for our community.
Because we feel a strong obligation to continue the important work you have entrusted us with through your donations of time, energy, and money, we want you to know how we are moving forward.
We are building on tremendous progress made last year. In 2019, FLIP streamlined plans, value-engineered the construction budget, and “pressure tested” our business plan to create the capacity to complete our campaign. We also received a state award of $1 million; an anonymous stock donation worth over $500,000; a surprise $100,000 pledge for a Scholarship Fund to ensure all children, regardless of income, can swim; and more than $130,000 from our year-end appeal from 187 donors. Because of strong community support from more than 700 donors responding to our annual appeals and farmers market presence, we’ve raised $4.3 million and are more than halfway to our fundraising goal!
We are focusing our fundraising efforts on foundations and major donors. We’re also hiring an Executive Director to help guide our all-volunteer board and complete the capital campaign as quickly as possible.
YOUR SUPPORT IS AS VITAL AS EVER and there are still many ways to give. Your donations will bring our community closer to building a swim center for all.
Double YOUR GIFT and help us match a $10,000 donation from a generous supporter! Visit us at lopezislandpool.org/donate today, or go to givebigwa/friends-of-Lopez-Island-Pool/ to donate during GiveBIG WASHINGTON, May 5th & 6th. Early giving starts now through May 4th.
Stay safe and stay healthy!
Bill LeDrew, President; Robin Bergstrom, Vice President; Micki Ryan, Secretary; Tom DiGiorgio, Treasurer (interim); Linda Barton; Pedro Costa; Lisa DiGiorgio
Editing by Carolyn McGown
by Carolyn McGown | Dec 16, 2019 | News
By Carolyn McGown (FLIP volunteer and former Board member)
A wonderful part of FLIP’s progress in 2019 was an unexpected $100,000 pledge for the creation of a scholarship fund that will ensure all Lopez Island kids have access to the pool and to swim lessons, regardless of their family’s income.
The donor behind this generous pledge is FLIP board member Lisa DiGiorgio! You’re used to seeing her name on the Pulse byline but this month Lisa has agreed to be in the Pulse spotlight to bring attention to her “A Pool for All $100K Challenge”
I sat down with this dedicated board member, pool supporter and (of course) avid swimmer to learn more about her decision to create a scholarship fund in honor of her mother, Lois Grace Forney. Here are some highlights from our conversation.
Pulse: “Lisa, why do you think it’s so important for kids to learn to swim?”
Lisa D: “After FLIP tested the elementary students and found that only 9% could pass the basic Red Cross water safety test, I knew we had to get Lopez kids swimming. Besides the obvious water safety issue, there is simply JOY in knowing how to swim. The freedom of movement that kids experience in a pool can translate into a lifelong love of swimming. Mastering the skill of swimming builds confidence in and out of the water. On Lopez we have the obvious challenge of cold water and lack of a swim center which has resulted in generations of kids not being safe in the water. This is something we can change and something I feel very passionate about!”
Pulse: “Where did you learn to swim?”
Lisa D: “I don’t really remember not knowing how to swim. I grew up in south central Pennsylvania, where there are pools in every town. My parents wanted us five kids to know how to swim and I spent just about every summer day in the water as a kid. When I was seven I joined two neighborhood swim teams and swam on both of them every summer, until I was seventeen!”
Pulse: “Has swimming influenced your adult life as well?”
Lisa D: “Swimming has continued to be a big theme in my life. I am a nutritionist and had a career as the manager of WIC & Nutrition Services for King County Public Health. Our programming emphasized nutrition and activity for young children and I made sure that included referrals for free swim lessons in neighborhood pools.
I have continued to swim regularly throughout my life and eventually participated in four triathlons! I want to see island kids spend a lot of time in the water to have this healthy outlet for their energy. The confidence they will get from swimming will impact their lives positively, even if they don’t end up being triathletes!”
Pulse: “You’ve been very generous in donating to FLIP in the past, but this is a BIG gift. What motivated this “next level” donation?”
Lisa D: “It has felt good to “dig deep” for something I feel so passionate about. When my husband Tom and I reviewed our finances and saw how well my IRA had done, I knew that I wanted those gains to go to something near and dear to my heart – swimming opportunities for children from economically challenged families.
I want kids to have lessons more than once a year and to have time to practice the skills they learn. I want kids to have access to these things, regardless of family income and for ALL kids to eventually graduate from high school knowing how to swim!”
Pulse: “What is ‘A Pool for All $100K Challenge’?”
Lisa D: “Well, before the scholarship fund can be used, we need a pool! I hope that sharing my passion and commitment to the project will inspire others to dig deep and give big this year. I’m challenging FLIP supporters to raise another $100,000 toward construction during our 2019 year end campaign. If any of our supporters would like to donate directly to FLIP from their IRA, like I did, I would be happy to explain how it works. It’s relatively simple to do and a great way to lower your tax bill.”
Pulse: “Any final thoughts?”
Lisa D: “The kids who learn to swim in this pool, will grow up to be the adults who take their own children to swim in this pool and then they will become the seniors who stay fit in this pool and retain their health, community and mobility because of this pool.
Our supporters are more than just donors. They are stewards of a healthier, happier, safer future for islanders!”
Pulse: “Thanks Lisa for your story, your vision and of course, your generosity! Let’s all get inspired by this individual who is putting her time, determination and resources where her heart is!”
by Lisa DiGiorgio | Aug 16, 2019 | News
We are blown away by a recent anonymous stock donation worth over $500,000! We feel so honored by the support that keeps coming in from this amazing community! This is one more BIG step forward on the path to completion of a year-round swim center … the path towards a safer island, swimming skills for all our kids and faster healing through water therapy … all right here, where we live, work and play. Thank you from the entire FLIP community to this generous and committed anonymous donor!
Making a stock donation of ANY size is simple! Giving appreciated stock is a great way to support the pool and to avoid capital gains taxes!
To donate stock contact Bill LeDrew at billledrew@lopezislandpool.org. He will provide you with our account information so your broker can initiate a wire transfer.
by Lisa DiGiorgio | Jun 25, 2019 | News
Banners went up on Pool Lane on summer solstice to welcome Senator Liz Lovelett and her legislative assistant Jordan Kronen. The Senator had asked to visit the site of the Community Swim Center, after securing $1 million dollars from the 2019 state capital budget for the local project.
The FLIP Board and active members of the Advisory Board welcomed her with open arms and enthusiastic gratitude for her successful initiative. A freshman senator, Lovelett stood strong and persuaded the Senate to invest in the Lopez community’s health and safety, via the creation of an accessible swim center.
After an on-site tour showing where the two pools and bathhouse will be located, the entourage celebrated with a delicious and abundant potluck picnic.
Senator Lovelett will return for the Commuity Swim Center’s “official” ground breaking. She said, “I look forward to that. This community effort is amazing!”
In other news, please join us for the 4th of July parade! We would love to have families, seniors and pool lovers walking with our float, Swimming Saves Lives! Show up at our FLIP Float at 9:30am in the lineup on Fisherman Bay Road, just beyond the Islander. Just walk until you find us and bring your pool spirit – the more the merrier!
by Lisa DiGiorgio | Apr 29, 2019 | News
Senator Liz Lovelett – The Washington State Senate convenes for floor debate, March 7th, 2019.
Hold onto your swim caps…. we are excited to share that late Sunday night the 2019 Washington State Capital Budget, passed by the Senate and House of Representatives, included a $1,000,000 award for the Lopez Island Swim Center!!! Freshman Senator Liz Lovelett from Anacortes showed great vision and strength as the sponsor of this successful request which was also strongly supported by Senator David Frockt, Representative Jeff Morris and Representative Debra Lekanoff.
On top of the $500,000 previously received from the State, the $175,000 Youth and Recreation Facilities award, and the land investment of $190,000 by San Juan County, a combined total of $1.865 million has now been committed by local and state government to ensure that our Lopez Island children grow up being swim competent, that we have a year-round place to swim regardless of the weather, that a therapy pool is available to ensure we get back out to enjoy the life we want to live, and a gathering place for all of us on Lopez, young and old, to splash, swim and smile.
This success has been achieved through hard work, persistence and with support from our elected officials, but it also is as a result of the support FLIP has received from over 700 community donors over the years. This amazing level of community support has created an environment that has convinced our elected representatives of the merits of the Swim Center and of the commitment of the community to make it a reality.
We invite you to send a thank you letter to Senator Lovelett for her courageous ask. She supported the pool, let’s show her our support in return! Her address is Liz.Lovelett@leg.wa.gov. We would appreciate your sending additional letters of thanks and support to Senator Frockt (David.Frockt@leg.wa.gov) and Representatives Lekanoff (Debra.Lekanoff@leg.wa.gov) and Morris (Jeff.Morris@leg.wa.gov).
We have much work to do to raise the funds we need to complete the project, but this tremendous level of State support takes us closer to our goal.
Lopez Will Swim!
Your FLIP Board
editing by Carolyn McGown
by Lisa DiGiorgio | Apr 18, 2019 | News
You’re invited to Fidalgo Pool in Anacortes on Saturday, May 4th from 3PM to 5PM for a FREE Family Swim! Yes, the BIG slide and diving boards will be open! Yes, there will be the swinging ball and toys galore! Yes, we will have an adult area open. And, the balcony will be open so come and watch the fun, even if you don’t want to get in the pool.
For 5 years, FLIP has sponsored swim days for the elementary school students but this year we want ALL of Lopez Island to join the swim party. This community event is sponsored by FLIP with funds that were generously donated for this specific purpose, and not construction funds. The Saturday ferry schedule (1:35PM Lopez only to Anacortes) is timed perfectly. The pool is located at 1603 22nd Street and easy to get to. From the ferry, turn right onto K Ave., then right on 22nd St., drive one block, and the pool with be on your left. Please carpool if you choose to drive. There is a 6:00pm ferry back to Lopez.
We have hired buses to and from Anacortes terminal to the pool for Lopez School students and their families. The seats will be limited with bus reservations through the school. Sign up soon so you can walk on the ferry and be chauffeured to the pool! All children must have be supervised by an adult. (One adult can supervise up to 4 children.) All children will need to pass a swim test to determine if they need life jackets.
Lopez Island Family Resource Center and Lopez Island School District are our community partners in this event. If you are in need, a limited number of free adult pedestrian ferry tickets are available for this event. Call the Lopez Island Family Resource Center to see if you qualify, one per family. All children between 6 and 18 years will need to pay $6.85 for their walk-on ferry ticket to Lopez. Lopez teachers have volunteered to help out. Adults of all ages are encouraged to come and enjoy this fun time. We are needing more volunteers! Please call Linda at 360-468-4655 to sign up.
Come join the fun at this FREE Family Swim event for all of Lopez! Please spread the word and bring your family and friends! All you have to do is show up at Fidalgo Pool and say, “I’m from Lopez.” SPLASH!
