{"id":117827,"date":"2014-12-17T12:27:53","date_gmt":"2014-12-17T19:27:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/?p=117827"},"modified":"2014-12-17T12:27:53","modified_gmt":"2014-12-17T19:27:53","slug":"naia-swimming-embodies-season-giving","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/naia-swimming-embodies-season-giving\/","title":{"rendered":"NAIA Swimming Embodies the Season of Giving"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Lileana Pearson, Swimming World College Intern<\/em><\/p>\n

National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics – NAIA swimming is proud of the fact that it is\u00a0always trying to improve the world around it. As the holiday season is upon us, now is the time to highlight a few of the charity activities and involvements in the division.<\/p>\n

Olivet Nazarene had the drive this year to create their own charity. In the form of a combined men’s and women’s relay, the ambitious team swam the length of Lake Michigan. At the end of the relay Olivet Nazarene raised more than\u00a0$18,000 for World Vision International. This money allows for the construction of wells in Africa and raises awareness of the lack of fresh water in third-world countries.<\/p>\n

The Special Olympics<\/a> is another huge opportunity for schools to take a break from swimming and give back to the sport. In October, the all-women’s school Brenau University came out in full force to lend a helping hand at the Georgia Special Olympics. The swimmers worked in a variety of jobs, and left with a deeper understanding of their sport and a pride that allowed them to tackle the rest of their season with new strength.<\/p>\n

Lindsey Wilson College has participated in several charity events. The most prominent is the Hour of Power<\/a> in honor of Carlton College swimmer Ted Mullin, who passed away from cancer in 2006. The continuous hour-long relay is in memory of those who have lost their battle with cancer and those who have won.<\/p>\n

Campbellsville University holds an annual Dance-a-Thon. Last year, the men’s and women’s teams raised a grand total of $3,100 in 12 hours for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation of cancer research. Nearly\u00a0100 students attended the dance, donating an average of $30 each. At the end of the non-stop dance, Campbellsville was able to say in the past six years they have raised more than $280,000 for St. Baldricks.<\/p>\n

NAIA swim programs are constantly involved in charity events so other may profit from them. As we progress through the year, there is a lot more happening this season that will have positive impact all throughout\u00a0the world.<\/p>\n

Lileana Pearson is a freshman swimmer at Lindsey Wilson College at the NAIA level. \u00a0She is currently a journalism major.<\/em><\/p>\n