Fins' "Swim For Jim!" Raises $3,920.20 for MANNA  Fins Aquatics Club President Brian Cahill presented a check for $3,920.20 to MANNA's Director of
Development Ann Hoskins-Brown recently, the result of proceeds amassed from the team's annual fundraiser. "Swim for Jim! The James A. Robles Memorial
One-Hour Swim" was held on Sunday, January 28th 2007 at the Friends Select School in Center City Philadelphia. During the event, participants swam as many laps
as they could within a one-hour period competing with other swimmers across the country. These results were then mailed into United States
Masters Swimming (hence the national name of "Postal Swim"), with awards granted by age group and gender.
The Fins chose to re-name their version of the fundraising event to honor the memory of the team's recently deceased head coach Jim Robles, who was also one of the founders of the team.
"This was one of Jim's favorite yearly events. To further honor him, we expanded the event to
include fun relays for non-swimmers, with music, snacks and lots of energy", said Fins President Brian Cahill.
Normally split between the team and a local charity, Fins swimmers this year chose to donate 100 percent of the money collected to MANNA (Metropolitan Area Neighborhood Nutrition Alliance).
MANNA is a Philadelphia non-profit group which promotes wellness through nutrition in communities living with, affected by, and fighting HIV / AIDS, cancer and other life-threatening
illness. "Jim was very fond of the work MANNA does, and in fact, was a recipient of their services for a period of time," said Cahill.
Fins' newly appointed Head Coach Jen Hensell coordinated the event. "The postal swim was a way for me to promote a team I love and to raise money to help a charity that does an amazing
and kind service for so many in need. Also it was a way for me to give back and thank an organization that helped a dear friend of mine at a time that he needed it most," said Hensell.
At the time of Robles' Memorial Celebration in late December, family and friends were encouraged to make a donation to MANNA in his name in lieu of flowers. Since that time an
additional $2,160 has been received by the charity. For more info on MANNA visit their websites: www.mannapa. org
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