With the surrounding neighborhood in shambles and 37 families of the Lahaina Swim Club without homes after the wildfires, the club wanted to do something to help its families.
Several companies donated gear to the club, but SBR Sports took it a step further and created the Aloha Spirit Silicone Swim Caps fundraiser. The caps were designed to honor the “Aloha Spirit” of Hawaii.
All proceeds from the caps ($15 apiece at www.sbrsportsinc.com) go directly to the families of the Lahaina Swim Club. The club is hoping to raise $60,000.
“Why are we doing this? My father’s side of the family is from Maui,” SBR Sports Founder and CEO Karen Allard said. “Maui is very near and dear to my heart and I am aching for the people of Maui.”
The Lahaina Swim Club has been a staple of the community with more than 140 swimmers and seven coaches involved with the club.
“The fire has changed everything,” club secretary Jane Gorokhovsky said. “In a matter of a few hours, most of Lahaina was reduced to ashes. Tragically, 37 of our families and coaches lost their homes along with all their belongings. While our pool survived the fire, it is now heavily contaminated and surrounded by burnt neighborhoods. Unfortunately, we are uncertain about when the pool will become operational again.”
Photo Courtesy: Lahaina Swim Club
In the mean time, the caps have been a huge success.
“Two weeks ago, Karen Allard from SBR SPORTS (the manufacturer of TRISWIM) reached out to me. She shared her personal connection to Maui and her company’s desire to support our club during this difficult time,” Gorokhovsky said. “Karen expressed her company’s goal of raising $60,000 for our displaced families and coaches, leaving our club leaders in awe of their generosity. The caps are generating a lot of excitement in the Hawaii swimming community. We are grateful to Karen and her team for their support.”
The club coaches also started a GoFundMe campaign.
“Presently, our core swimmers carpool to Kihei for practice. Despite being displaced themselves, coaches continue coaching our kids,” she said. “Some of our swimmers were compelled to leave Maui. My family is now temporarily on Oahu, where my kids were graciously welcomed by the Kamehameha Swim Club.”
But there is still along way to go in and out of the water for the Lahaina Swim Club.
“I have been in contact with various swim clubs across the country, soliciting donations, and we have received an overwhelming amount of love and support from the swimming community nationwide. Donations have poured in from all corners of the country, as well as from Australia and Israel. Even Katie Ledecky sent a heartwarming video of support to our swimmers, greatly uplifting their spirits,” Gorokhovsky said. “Arena has generously provided gear and clothing for our displaced swimmers and coaches, TYR sent us gift cards, the NC State Swim & Dive team contributed five boxes of swimwear and goggles, and JOLYN will be donating swimsuits to our advanced displaced girls. Witnessing this tremendous show of support has been truly incredible.”
