BRIDGEPORT — The Polo Inn and neighborhood hair salon Modern Wave are teaming up to help send a local swim team to a national championship meet in Florida.
A fundraiser to help the Valentine Boys & Girls Club's swimming team get to Florida will be held Friday at the Polo Inn, 3322 S. Morgan St. Funds raised from the event will go directly to travel expenses and entry fees for the Boys & Girls Club National Swimming Championships, to be held in St. Petersburg in April, according to the local club.
The local Boys & Girls Club has a 50-member swim team that practices daily at the club, 3400 S. Emerald Ave., giving kids after-school options that promote exercise and healthy competition. Team coach Nicholas Gaggiano said the program has been growing and the ability to go to national swim meets is a big opportunity for the kids.
"Getting to this meet gives our kids the opportunity to see a nice big pool, swim outdoors, meet teams from all over the country," he said in a promotional video for the fundraiser.
Friday's fundraiser, sponsored by Modern Wave, will cost $25 and will include appetizers from the Polo Inn. There will be raffles, silent auctions and a split-the-pot raffle, and kids from the team will be there to talk about what the team means for them.
"I love the experience, meeting new people, seeing how big the swimming community is," Natalie Soutonglang, a 9-year member of the team, said in the video.
For tickets, call Modern Wave at 312-842-5577.
