J-Hawk Aquatic Club Makes Swimming Affordable and Accessible for All

This swim team credits RaiseRight for helping to keep costs low and fund free swim lessons for families in need.

For Cheri Zimdars, the J-Hawk Aquatic Club is more than a swim team—it's a family legacy. Her mother, Joan Domitrz (fondly known as "Coach D"), founded the program in 1991; Cheri took over as head coach in 1995 and has led the club ever since.

J-Hawk Aquatic Club not only trains competitive swimmers, but also teaches kids of all ages how to swim.  

A mission rooted in accessibility

J-Hawk is primarily based in Whitewater, Wisconsin (a relatively small college town), but also holds practices in nearby Janesville, about 30 minutes away. This dual-location approach provides families with the flexibility to choose the most convenient option, making swimming more accessible to kids across the region. 

Beyond providing geographical accessibility, the J-Hawks believe in an even deeper mission: to ensure no child is ever turned away.

"We want to get as many children in the water as possible. Swimming is a lifelong and lifesaving sport," says Cheri. 

She's determined to make swimming affordable for every family, too. With the help of RaiseRight and other fundraisers, J-Hawk Aquatic Club keeps fees low, minimizes out-of-pocket costs, and even offers free swim lessons for children from low-income households. As the cost of youth sports continues to climb, this commitment to affordability is more critical than ever.

The cost of keeping a swim club afloat

Running a swim club isn't cheap. The J-Hawks rent every facility they use, making pool rental one of their most significant ongoing expenses, alongside payroll for their coaching staff. Fundraisers are necessary to help offset these costs so entry fees and other expenses don’t fall entirely on families.

Each family is asked to raise a set amount each season, starting around $150 for younger swimmers and up to $280 during the winter season. To meet these goals, the club hosts several fundraisers throughout the year, including Christmas wreath sales, raffles, and their annual triathlon event, in addition to RaiseRight. 

"To keep costs low, we have to be creative with fundraising," Cheri comments. 

While these events are generally successful, Cheri credits RaiseRight as a major source of financial stability—and a key reason they don’t have to add any more fundraisers to their busy schedules. 

"Other swim programs forgo fundraising and pass the expenses onto families instead. But we don’t want to do that, because we believe swimming is important for kids," she affirms. 

RaiseRight: The year-round solution

Because fundraising is so essential for the J-Hawks, they needed an easy, year-round, and low-effort way to raise money—one that could relieve families from burnout of seasonal events and sales.

When one of the swim team parents introduced RaiseRight to J-Hawk in 2010 after seeing its success at their school, Cheri was immediately interested. The parent ran the program for a few years before Cheri took over, and it's been thriving ever since. 

"It helps to educate parents in person," Cheri explains. "I’ll pull up the app and ask, 'Can I talk to you about fundraising?' Then I show them how they can earn on popular brands in our area, like Kwik Trip and Walmart."

While Cheri encourages families to use the RaiseRight mobile app and purchase eGift cards, she also places bi-weekly physical gift card orders to maintain steady participation and keep fundraising top-of-mind. 

"Having a set schedule makes it easy and convenient," Cheri explains. "I send out weekly email reminders to team members, and since everyone has a fundraising requirement, RaiseRight is the simplest way to meet their goals the fastest, and keep our fees as low as possible."

Every dollar makes a difference

In 2023, the J-Hawks raised nearly $16,000 with RaiseRight alone, and in 2024, they increased their earnings to nearly $17,000.

"RaiseRight has been absolutely huge in helping us run efficiently and pay our expenses without question," Cheri reflects. "Plus, anyone can participate! My kids, who are now in college, are using it. Even my 87-year-old dad buys gift cards. And alumni families continue ordering, even after their kids have graduated."

For many J-Hawk families, RaiseRight is their sole, go-to fundraiser. Cheri notes that those who use it consistently often meet their fundraising goals quickly, especially when they utilize it for home improvement projects or travel.

"It beats having to sell wrapping paper to neighbors and relatives!" Cheri laughs. "RaiseRight keeps our costs down, which impacts so many people. Every dollar we raise helps kids stay on the team and ensures swimming remains a part of their lives."