Swimsuit donations ‘a lifesaver’

When Spokane’s outdoor pools opened for the season on Monday, there were likely hundreds of children wearing donated swimsuits through a popular program of the Spokane Parks Foundation.

Swimmers without a lined suit are not allowed into the water at city pools.

Two years ago, the foundation gave away 200 swimsuits. Last year, the need grew to 600. The foundation expects to give away 700 suits to needy children this year.

Already, the foundation has given away hundreds of suits, and the executive director said she expects she will need an additional 200 suits to make it through the summer season. Children began picking up suits last Friday at the city’s community centers, which are passing them out.

“We got slammed really hard this year,” said Executive Director Toni Nersesian. “We’re a couple hundred short.”

She said the reason for the increased need is simple: “People are going broke.”

To encourage swimsuit donations, the Spokane Parks Foundation is teaming up with the Garland Theater to collect swimsuit donations during the Garland’s free morning movie next week. People who show up for the 9:30 a.m. screening of the movie, “The Game Plan,” can hand over the suits or cash donations to volunteers who will be there.

The swimsuit giveaway is just part of the work of the parks foundation to help children from low-income families.

The foundation also provides scholarships for swim lessons and day camps offered through the city parks department. The camps involve arts and crafts, library visits, sports, field trips and swimming. Cash donations are needed to finance the scholarships, Nersesian said.

Cash donations may be made to the foundation at P.O. Box 2021, Spokane, 99210. A donation form is available online at spokaneparksfoundation.org.

“We absolutely need cash donations,” Nersesian said.

Nancy Goodspeed, parks department spokeswoman, said people can “be a lifesaver” by donating. According to a press release, Goodspeed said many families are finding that swimsuits, lessons and day camps are impossible extras “with soaring prices for gas and food.”