Pre-Teen Raises More Than 12k For Red Cross During Annual Swim-A-Thon

ANN ARBOR (WWJ) - Molly Pribble is an athlete on a mission for the American Red Cross. The twelve year old raised over $12,000 during the 36th Annual Swim-A-Cross Plus program this summer. Swimming for the Travis Pointe Country Club Tiger Sharks, she completed 354 lengths, just over five miles in less than four hours.

Pribble, who swims in the summer months, because she loves swimming in the sunshine, attends Emerson School in Ann Arbor.

Swimming is just one of the sports she loves, and although, she has a busy schedule, she still finds time to give back to her community by fundraising and volunteering at the Red Cross with her family.

Swim-A-Cross Plus is an exciting, interactive fundraiser that invites local athletes to use their time and talent to help raise funds for critical life-saving programs that the Red Cross provides in their communities.

It was a record summer for the Swim-A-Cross Plus program, which raised over $87,000 with the support of 743 athletes across Southeast Michigan. The funds raised will support vital lifesaving programs and services that the Red Cross provides to their communities.

This summer, Pribble reached out to her family, friends, and neighbors for donations. Her fundraising efforts helped the Tiger Sharks defend their title as the Washtenaw Interclub Swim Conference Champions for the 4th consecutive year. The team raised more than $24,000 during their event.

Five years ago, Pribble participated in her first Swim-A-Cross event and raised $100. After seeing other athletes raise over $1,000, she decided to do the same. Pribble set her goal for $11,000 this year and exceeded it. "I am aware of all of the good things that the Red Cross does for the community and for the world. I like the fact that they put on blood drives and help people who have been affected by fires and tornadoes. I wanted to help support those types of activities with my swimming," stated Pribble.

Mary Kumbier, Regional Events Specialist, has been involved with Swim-A-Cross for twenty years. She comes back each year inspired by the participants' efforts and passion to make a difference in their community. "Molly Pribble is an exceptional athlete whose drive and determination has contributed tremendously to the growth and success of the program in the region."