Meters for Mike is a one-mile open water swim which squarely rests on two pillars – advocating and raising money for those living with brain trauma and to remember our friend Michael Heaney who passed away in 2013 after a long struggle with his own traumatic brain injuries.
For the past ten years “1500 Meters for Mike” has been one of the largest open water swim along the New Jersey shoreline. In past years, a little over 700 swimmers braved the mild surf and temperate waters to swim for a noble cause. We cordially invite you to take part this year!
Donations go towards various brain trauma charities, a scholarship to support the swimming community, and next year's race costs.
The Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey (the Alliance) is deeply honored to partner with Meters for Mike to help support people impacted by brain injury. We love being involved in such a meaningful and inspiring event in honor of your son, Michael.
The Alliance is a statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to improving quality of life after brain injury. Our mission is to support and advocate for individuals affected by brain injury and raise awareness through education and prevention. Through the success of last year’s Meters for Mike event and your generous donors, the Alliance received $9,000 to help support people impacted by brain injury in the following ways:
• Providing scholarships for campers and supporting the recreation and social events at Camp TREK, August 2016. Camp TREK is a weeklong sleepaway camp for people whose lives were changed by brain injury. It also serves as respite for caregivers, who look forward to this week to relax and recharge. This year, members of the Meters for Mike team will volunteer at the camp, meet the campers and assist them with swimming. See photos below from last year.
• Assisting a 19 year old woman, who sustained a ruptured arteriovenous malformation (AVM), obtain the technology needed to communicate. This young woman sustained a severe injury, causing her to lose the ability to talk, walk or care for herself. She is currently in a long term care facility and our staff is working with the medical team to help purchase an eye gaze machine, which is not fully covered under insurance, but will allow her to communicate with her loved ones; something she has not been able to do in over a year.
It is with heartfelt gratitude that I write this letter to thank you and your team for helping to support people impacted by brain injury. I hope it brings you peace knowing the extent that Michael’s memory and legacy are helping so many others. I look forward to meeting your team at Camp TREK and to another successful event on September 17th. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Rita Steindlberger President & CEO
