With warmer temperatures on the horizon, you may be getting anxious to fire up the outdoor grill. If your grill runs on gas, Pelgas in Atlantic has a deal you can’t pass up, and, it benefits the Atlantic Swim Team – a win-win for everyone. Barb Barrick, Dave and Kristy York, Jennifer Miller from Brymon’s Home Furnishings, and Jackie Sampson, with the Nishna Valley YMCA, sat down with the media, Monday evening at the Y, to talk about the 2nd Annual Atlantic Trojan Swim Team Fundraiser, working in conjunction with Pelgas.

Left to right: Barb Barrick, Dave York, Kristy York and Jennifer Miller. (Not shown in this photo, Jackie Sampson) – Ric Hanson photo (Click to enlarge)

Barb Barrick explained that last year, Todd Pellet, with Peglas, offered to fill propane tanks for $32.50, with $25 of that going toward private fundraising being used for the Atlantic High School Swim Team. She said even though it was short notice that first year, they filled over 67 tanks that first Saturday in three-hours, and raised a little over $2,500 for the Swim Team. This year, Pellett approached team organizers again, and asked if they would like to run the tank program again.

Dave York said there are two options when it comes to filling your tank. There’s a pick up option for Wed., April, 4th from 2-p.m. to 5-p.m., and Wed., April 11th, from 4-until 7-p.m. Persons who have expressed an desire to have their tanks filled will need to uninstall their tank from their grill or wherever, and set in a place where it is easily accessible. The swimmers will come to your site, place a tag on your tank so it can be identified and returned to the rightful owner once its filled.

Pelgas will fill the tanks and work with students to see the tanks are returned. York said you don’t have to be home for your tank to be picked up or dropped-off. There is also a private shuttle option, where you can purchase your fill and receive a tag, and when you are ready, take the tank to Pelgas and get it filled. Kristy York said Pelgas will honor those tags through early this Summer, so even if your tank is still full, you can refill it if you are a heavy outdoor griller. She added that if you do have more than one tank to fill, each additional tank is only $25. 100 percent of that, she said, will go back to the swim team.

Kristy York explained why the funds are needed. She says nearly five-years ago, they decided to have their own High School Swim Team. After the first season, the school was considering budget cuts, with the swim program on the chopping block. A group of parents got together and persuaded the School Board to cut the funding, but not the program itself. Up until last Spring, the program was funded mostly with donations from parents, and generous contributions from Atlantic residents and businesses. The Pelgas program was their first fundraiser.

She said “For three-years now, we’ve been able to fund each season of the swim team with donations.” For the 2017-18 School Year, the School District did agree to take care of the transportation costs, but beyond that, the program is still 100-percent donation funded. The cost to run the program, according to York, is a little more than $11,000 per year, split into two seasons because the boys and girls seasons don’t run concurrently to each other. Jennifer Miller said “It’s the only varsity sport in the District that is self-funded.” She said they’re only looking for funding to carry the program, not the equipment. Each team member is responsible for their swim suit, goggles and related gear.

To receive a propane tank fill request form and/or purchase your tag, check with any Atlantic High School Swim Team member, stop by the YMCA, Brymon’s, J&J Graphics, contact Barb Barrick at City Hall, or Jackie Sampson at 712-250-0025, or download the form from the Atlantic Flying Shark Swim Team’s Facebook page. Even if you don’t have a tank to fill, you’re more than welcome to donate to the team.