Swimming With Purpose: 10-Mile River Swim Fundraiser for Nature's Nursery
Maumee River Open Water Swim on Sept. 9th To Raise Funds For Conservation
The banks of the Maumee River have long inspired active nature lovers with exploration and enthusiasm for wildlife and wonderful views. From fishing, to kayaking, boating to sunbathing, the Maumee River offers an abundance of opportunity. One local man has set his sights on utilizing the river to give back to an organization that embraces the best of nature in the NW Ohio Area.
Nature’s Nursery Center For Wildlife Rescue, Rehabilitation and Education has been saving wildlife in the Toledo and surrounding 18 counties for the last 33 years. The non-profit currently admits over 3,700 wild animals each year, funded primarily by donations from the community. While many people support the organization for their love of animals, the bigger picture of their mission is the focus of the upcoming September 9th fundraiser.
“Wildlife is the manager of our ecosystem” said Allison Schroeder, Nature’s Nursery Executive Director. “Saving wildlife goes well beyond just wanting to help the cute bunnies that someone finds orphaned in their yard. With continued urban sprawl and habitat destruction, it’s important to help keep wildlife populations in balance because each species plays an important role in the environment including the health of our rivers and waterways.”
As Nature’s Nursery continues to raise funds to complete renovations on a much-needed larger facility in Waterville, one local fitness and swimming enthusiast has decided to dive in and help out. Joe Sparks, a 66 year old owner of Joe’s Yoga and Fitness in Perrysburg has pledged to make a 10 mile swim down the Maumee to raise funds one stroke at a time. “I love our local river fronts and appreciate all that Nature’s Nursery does to protect not only the waterfowl, shorebirds and aquatic animals that live along the river, but all of our local wildlife” said Sparks. “I believe everyone should utilize their own talents and abilities to find a way to give back, and this is how I can contribute to our community.”
People who would like to support Joe and Nature’s Nursery are encouraged to make a per-mile donation via the Nature’s Nursery website at www.natures-nursery.org/events. “Knowing people have donated “per-mile” will really help to give me that extra push when I start to get tired out there. Focusing on the goal and the funds being raised helps keep the finish line in view.” said Sparks.
The swim will begin at 9am on September 9th at the Hood Park dock in Perrysburg and continue 10 miles down the river to Toledo Skyway Marina at the National Museum of the Great Lakes with an approximate ending time of 3pm. The public is invited to attend both the start and the finish of the swim.
For more information on this release or to schedule an interview, please contact Allison Schroeder, Nature’s Nursery Executive Director. [email protected]. 419-344-2988; or Joe Sparks Joe's Yoga & Fitness Owner, [email protected], 419-345-0885