Aquajets Make Most of Time Out of Water With Service Projects

Photo Courtesy: Aquajets

The Aquajets Swim Team had just gotten used to being back in the water together, when a second halt to sports in Minnesota brought their rekindled time together to another pause.

Knowing the team could be back out of the water for another long period of time, coaches wanted to keep the swimmers in the club involved in the community as well as with each other.

So, led by assistant coach Leah Foreman-Keiser, the Aquajets, a USA Swimming club, began to do service projects in the community.

“This time, we were in the pool from early September until just before Thanksgiving when the Governor put a pause on youth sports, indoor dining, and bars and gyms. Since cases had been rising dramatically leading up to that, most schools had also gone mostly online by that point too. So once again, we were all stuck at home with no swim practice or physical outlet,” Foreman-Keiser told Swimming World. “We had been talking as a staff, even before the pause, about doing something community-focused to get the kids thinking about something outside of themselves and did a small poster-making drive to send colorful, inspirational posters and signs to a local nursing home The kids made them at home and brought them to practice. This wrapped up just before the shutdown.”

Photo Courtesy: Aquajets

That got the momentum rolling as the team led a food and clothing drive, partnering with local non-profits like Community Action Partnership.

“The drive-thru came together as we brainstormed ways to see the kids and do something good for the community,” Foreman-Keiser said. “One of our assistant coaches, Erin Hawker, selected the Community Action Partnership (CAP) of Scott, Carver, and Dakota counties as the organization to support, as she had prior experience working with them. They support local families in need with a food shelf, clothing donations, etc. Our team draws swimmers from all over the western and southwestern Twin Cities metro area, and many of our families live in towns in those counties.”

It has been a difficult time for clubs around the world trying to maintain a sense of togetherness. This was another step in the right direction for the Aquajets.

“We had a fantastic time and are happy to be able to share the experience and idea with others. It all stemmed from conversations our coaching staff had around how we can encourage our swimmers to look outside of themselves during such an isolating time,” Aquajets assistant coach Megan Hughes said.

Photo Courtesy: Aquajets

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Coaches led the way at the drive-thru, while swimmers participated by helping drop off.

“Our drive-thru had three stops, with coaches at each one. When families entered the parking lot, they were greeted by a couple of coaches and directed to pull up to the front door, where another group of coaches unloaded the food from the trunk,” Foreman-Keiser said. “They then pulled around to the back door where another group of coaches unloaded the clothing donations. Finally, after turning around, on their way out, families stopped at the doughnuts table to get a doughnut from our head coach, Kate Lundsten (She was all over the place after a while, but started at doughnuts). The best part was seeing all of our swimmers and parents and getting to say hello to everyone. It was so good to chat even just for a couple of minutes. So many families brought their dogs along for the ride too, which was awesome.”

The Aquajets avoided traffic jams by having a time slot signup. It turned into a rewarding experience for everyone involved.“Close to 60 families signed up and from what I could tell, all showed up and there may have even been a few who weren’t on the list. We were overwhelmed by everyone’s generosity,” Foreman-Keiser said. “I don’t know in pounds how much food and clothing were collected, but it filled to the top the CAP agency’s big van, plus two full-size SUVs that had to handle the overflow. We were so excited by the amount of food and clothing that was donated. It was truly inspiring and heartwarming to know how much our swimmers and their families care and are willing to help others in need. We are grateful to have such a wonderful Aquajets family.”

Photo Courtesy: Aquajets

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Rice Farmer

3 years ago

Aquajets really is the best at everything

K. Zaske

3 years ago

Well done!

Shawn Fischer

3 years ago

Well done, Aquajets! Great to hear about the team and my old teammate Kate Lundsten!

Anonymous

3 years ago

Thank you for sharing in this wonderful way! It really is a Wonderful World when we get in the acts of helping others.