Swim or donate to Angel View on New Year's Eve day

Looking to make a splash to start 2017?

Members of the Piranhas Masters Swim Club are diving in to benefit the programs at Angel View on New Year’s Eve and you can join in.

For the fifth year, the Piranhas will be participating in a fundraising lap swim with all donations to the local non-profit which serves children and adults with disabilities.

Spearheaded by Steve Erickson, CPA/Managing Partner with Maryanov Madsen Gordon & Campbell in Palm Springs and a member of the Piranha Masters team, and Jeff Conwell, CEO of the Piranhas Swim Team, the event invites the public to participate.

On New Year’s Eve, starting at 9 a.m. at the Palm Springs Swim Center, Piranhas members will attempt the grueling 100-100s for 10,000 yards of swimming which surpasses three hours in the pool. Others take on their own personal goals, tag team and switch off laps, or try to begin a new and challenging fitness routine.

“We would love to see the pools full of swimmers accomplishing meeting their personal goal and raising funds for Angel View Outreach,” said Erickson, who noted a group of 10 from the Loma Linda-based Piranhas will join them in Palm Springs. “We invite people to sponsor swimmers with a donation in honor of the swim. Last year there were 40 swimmers in one location and this year we’re gonna blow that number out of the water.”

He said during the past four years, the club has compiled more than a half million yards for this fundraising effort. Last year’s swim set a record $11,000 in donations.

“We had quite a few people who were relatively new swimmers in the past and set their own goal,” said Erickson. “Some set a goal of 5,000 (yards) one year and made it to 8,000 last year. It’s good for them and for a good cause.”

Swimming has a natural tie to Angel View, which was founded on a natural hot spring in Desert Hot Springs by parent whose children suffered from polio. Today, water therapy still plays an important role in Angel View’s programs. The nonprofit offers 24-hour residential care, a therapeutic Day Program for adults who have graduated from special education classes, and an Outreach Program.

Angel View Outreach offers free services and supports to local families who are raising children with disabilities. This year upwards of 600 children were served through the Outreach program.

For information on participating in the Swim for Angel View or to donate contact Erickson at steven@mmgccpa.com or 760-778-8562. Regarding Angel View programs, visit www.angelview.org or email info@angelview.org. Donations are accepted through the website.