They say a picture is worth a thousand words…
Swimming Alcatraz Saturday, September 22, 2012
We did it.
$29,382 raised, one chilly swim, and the best birthday present I could ever ask for: clean water for more than 1400 people.
We had more than 400 people donate, over 100 people showed up to the party, and another 50+ companies and individuals donated time, prizes, and energy. This was not the action of a single individual. You all made this happen. Thank you for helping me making it rain: we raised nearly 30K for charity: water in just under three months.
And on Saturday morning, September 22nd, 2012: I woke up at 5 AM, got into a boat with my friends Andi, Alyssa, Laura and my mom, and, as promised, dropped into the cold water at 6:45 AM to swim from Alcatraz to San Francisco wearing nothing but my birthday suit and a swim cap (scroll down for pictures…).
I’ve learned so much, and gained so much, and I hope you all have enjoyed this as much as I have.
To be honest, I’ll be sleeping for the next few days–as well as catching up on work, because even though my company was amazing about letting me take time off last week (they were excited about the swim, too!), now I’ve got to get back and make sure to keep doing the work.
And right now, all I can think is this:
“No one could make a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could do only a little.”
–Edmund Burke
This happened not from one person, but from the collective action of many hands–from all of YOU. For everyone that donated $5, $10, $29, and $100: thank you.
To the incredible donors that pitched in $290, $1000, and even $2900 because they could afford to and wanted to: bless you.
Thank you.
