FAMILY PARTICIPATION FUNDRAISING AND VOLUNTEERING
2025-2026
The Thunder Bay Thunderbolts (TBTSC) require many volunteers to ensure we can keep our programming costs as low as possible. With the exception of coaches and one admin staff, TBTSC operates solely on the basis of volunteerism.
From the volunteers who serve on the Board of Directors, to members officiating at or helping to run swim meets; we appreciate everyone who contributes their time to help out. Without the many helping hands, we wouldn’t be able to build a healthy swim club.
Traditionally our competitive families take the lead on many fundraising and volunteer activities. We encourage all TBTSC families to participate in fundraising events occurring throughout the year.
BINGOS
The Thunderbolts are proud to be one of the 80+ charities supported by Superior Shores Gaming Association. The funds we receive assist with the costs of running a high level competitive club. Learn about Superior Shores atwww.superiorshoresgaming.com.
Dates: Bingos will be assigned via email throughout the year
Competitive Swimmers: Mandatory for Elite and Next Generation groups
Pre-competitive Swimmers: N/A
Requirements: Approximately 2 to 4 bingos for the first swimmer (1-2 additional bingos for every additional swimmer in this group)
Details and training information are provided to parents with swimmers in this group.
THUNDERBOLTS CASH RAFFLE
The proceeds from selling the raffle tickets are used for operating costs, equipment purchases and athlete/coach development. Pease note: families are direct invoiced for their tickets and therefore not required to submit cash
Date: Dec. 2025 6:30pm @ Canada Games Complex
Competitive Swimmers: Mandatory
Pre-competitive Swimmers: Mandatory
Requirements: 1 book of tickets assigned to each pre-comp family and 2 books assigned to each competitive swimmer. Any ticket sales in addition to the books assigned are greatly appreciated.
Deadline: Tickets must be sold and ticket stubs and e-transfer payments submitted by a set deadline.
***Families who are unable to participate in the raffle will have their accounts billed directly.
SWIM-A-THON
This is a long distance event that provides a fun challenge for our TBTSC athletes and brings in additional needed funds for our club. The bonus; a fun team potluck breakfast upon completion of their swim! Did we mention there is a draw for gift certificates too.
Date: April 2026
Competitive Swimmers: Participation in the event is mandatory
Pre-competitive Swimmers: We encourage and appreciate your participation
Requirements: Competitive swimmers are asked to fundraise according to their suggested group values; Elite- $275, Senior- $200, Next Generation- $175, Waves 1/Waves 2- $150, Twisters -$75. Families with multiple swimmers are asked to strive for the group value of their top swimmer.
Deadline: Funds are raised online up to the Swim-a-thon deadline date set by Swimming Canada. Detailed information is sent to families 8 weeks prior to the Swim-a-thon.
ITALIAN HALL SPAGHETTI DINNER
The TBTSC will receive a portion of all tickets we sell prior to this event. We do not receive profits from tickets sold at the hall. Mark the date on your calendar for this delicious fundraiser!
Date: Winter, 2026
Competitive Swimmers: We encourage and appreciate your participation
Pre-competitive Swimmers: We encourage and appreciate your participation
Requirements: Tickets available for purchase from the Thunderbolts.
Deadline: Tickets must be sold and all money e-transferred to TBTSC prior to the dinner.
BRULE CREEK FARMS
The Brule Creek Farms fundraiser is a win-win. When we buy locally grown and milled grain products from Brule Creek, Thunderbolts receive 50% of every purchase. Sell $10…Bolts keeps $5.
Date: TBD
Competitive Swimmers: We encourage and appreciate your participation
Pre-competitive Swimmers: We encourage and appreciate your participation
Requirements: Swimmers sell products via Brule order forms
Deadline: Order forms must be submitted by the last day of the fundraiser
QUIZ NIGHT
Quiz Night is a long standing evening of fun with friends and family. Enjoy a professionally run trivia night and a wonderful dinner…. a great time guaranteed.
Date: TBD
Competitive Swimmers: We encourage and appreciate your participation
Pre-competitive Swimmers: We encourage and appreciate your participation
Requirements: Tickets can be purchased from Fundraising Committee members
VOLUNTEERING AT SWIM MEETS
It takes our whole swim community to host a swim meet. We require 80 volunteers to run each session (all officials on deck are volunteers, there are no paid positions) with 3 - 9 sessions for each meet. Officiating is a great way to learn about competitive swimming. If you have any questions about officiating or how to become an official, reach out to Laura at [email protected].
In-House Competitions (Time Trials): Sometimes occur throughout the season. See the meet schedule
Bolts Hosted Swim Meets: Several occur throughout the season. See the meet schedule
Competitive Swimmers: Mandatory
Requirements: Families of competitive swimmers must have at least one member complete the Introduction to Swimming Clinic in order to officiate at meets. Once a timer has volunteered at several meet sessions, they are encouraged to take the Inspector of Turns Clinic. Competitive families with a swimmer 12 & under are required to work 10 sessions at Thunderbolts hosted meets throughout the year. Competitive families with a swimmer 13 & over are required to work 12 sessions at TBTSC hosted meets throughout the year. Please speak with a Board member to make other volunteering arrangements if you are unable to fulfill this obligation.
Deadline: Please sign up for volunteer/officiating positions 4 weeks prior to each swim meet (specific dates will be shared closer to the meets) or make alternative arrangements by speaking with a board member in order for your swimmer to be eligible to swim in each meet. It is very important to sign up to officiate 4 weeks prior to the swim meet so that approval by Swim Ontario can be obtained, as there is a minimum number of officials needed to host a meet.
ALTERNATIVES TO OFFICIATING
Alternatives to officiating positions include selling meet merchandise, or food/beverages at a concession stand, and helping with hospitality, awards or the speeding ticket table. If you are interested in volunteering at a swim meet and are not yet an official, respond to the requests for volunteers (requests for volunteers are usually by email) or reach out to a member of the board or meet management team to learn more about what help is needed.
If you would like to help with TBTSC fundraising or have a fundraising idea, we would love to hear from you. Please contact a Board member.
*All dates are subject to change - please watch your email and check the website for updates throughout the season*
A huge thank you to our Thunderbolts families for all that you do!
