Who is Tim?Tim Bosch is a local West Michigan kid that started life in an unusual way. He was born with Osteogenesis Imperfecta, more commonly known as Brittle Bone Disease. Even though some of Tim’s nearly 12 fractures in the uterus healed on their own, he was born with 12 fractured bones. Since that time, Tim’s Mom, Deb, estimates Tim has endured countless surgeries and a minimum of 400 breaks. Feeling normal is not something Tim gets to experience on a regular basis, but his new Aquatic Fitness System, or AFS, gives him a place to be a normal kid.
The Gift.
Tim’s AFS was a gift given through the generous support, time and donations of several West Michigan businesses and individuals. Nationally, Dimension One spas provided the AFS at cost to the group and with our own team at Zagers helping get the AFS set up and ready to use. Tim’s Tub will provide him a place to swim, exercise, build muscle mass, relax and just be a kid while not having the added burden of stress on his fragile bones. The dream that started in August 2009 has finally become a reality.
The Tub On March 1, 2010 Tim got to experience his tub for the first time. Our own Jay Wyllys (Holland location) went out over the weekend to make sure the water temperature was properly set and the water balanced. He wanted to make sure Tim’s first dip would go off without a hitch! Our own Todd Visser (Grand Rapids location) was on hand to watch Tim experience his AFS for the very first time! Todd commented this was an incredible experience and one that not only warmed his heart and soul, but also found it to be one of the moments where you can literally see God working through his people. The people of Zagers Pool & Spa couldn’t be more proud to have been part of this random act of kindness and look forward to seeing Tim grow in years and strength. Thank You Tim for including us in your journey.
Who They Are. Toys
for Tots is the Marine Corps' premier community action program, one of
the nation's flagship charitable endeavors, an American tradition and a
national treasure. For over half of a century, Marines have been the
unchallenged leaders in looking after needy children at Christmas. The
Toys for Tots message of hope for the future has motivated youngsters
to grow into responsible, productive, patriotic citizens and community
leaders. Toys for Tots has earned the distinction as a program which
plays an important role in helping youngsters emerge from a background
of poverty to adulthood as assets to society. Toys for Tots not only
benefits children, but also has a positive impact on communities, on
businesses - large and small, on the Marine Corps and on the nation.
Toys for Tots is one vehicle for addressing the issue of poverty among
children.
The Goal.
The shiny new toy which millions of needy children receive
each Christmas from Marines, through the Toys for Tots program,
delivers a message of hope. By being excellent role models and setting
an example for others, Marines, through Toys for Tots, perform passive
mentoring. The children who receive toys through the Toys for Tots
program have an opportunity to observe first hand how young men and
women, just like themselves, have achieved success. Youngsters readily
recognize that Marines achieve their success through following the
highest standards of discipline, grooming, patriotism, physical fitness
and moral character. The fact that these same combat trained Marines
find time to be compassionate for the less fortunate members of
America's society is not lost on these children. Even more importantly,
children are impressed by the willingness of Marines to work overtime
to do something for them. Marines strive to set this example for
youngsters across America, in turn helping them grow to be successful
citizens.
What You Can Do. Today's
overtaxed mentoring projects are able to reach only a small percentage
of the millions of needy children. We must, therefore, pursue
alternatives to build/restore self-esteem among needy children, and
give them hope for the future. Moreover, since children imitate the
actions of their elders, children should be exposed to positive role
models. Americans from every walk of life can join the Toys for Tots
team and be an active participant in the development of our children.
The challenge: be a participator, not a spectator. Just do your part to
assist in the development of today's children so they will grow into
responsible, productive, patriotic citizens and community leaders for
the future. You will be helping children, your community and your
nation. Your action today will help produce leaders for tomorrow. Help
us "make a difference".
Read more
about the Toys-for-Tots program and how you can help at www.toysfortots.org
The Inspiration.
Diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at age nine, Emily was determined to continue her normal routine as much as possible, including being an avid swimmer and member of the Birmingham Swim League.
After reading a book about a young girl who raised money for her local hospital by riding her bike, Emily decided she wanted to do something similar to help raise money to support treatment and research as well as raise awareness for cystic fibrosis. Spending four to five days each week at the pool, she felt she could translate her love for swimming into a program to do just that.
in 2003, a mere six weeks after her diagnosis, Emily swam 65 laps in her first LAPS FOR CF event raising $60,000, twenty times more than her original goal of $3,000. The next year, she swam again and raised over $90,000. In 2005, Emily's LAPS FOR CF gained great momentum when it partnered with the Auburn Swim Team of Auburn University and, together, they raised over $220,000.
The following year, Emily's LAPS FOR CF event was held again at Auburn University and also at The University of Alabama. If teaming up with the swim teams at each university weren't enough, she also got campus fraternities and sororities involved helping to raise $275,000 from both campus events in 2006.
Swimming isn't the only part Emily plays in LAPS FOR CF events. She's become an outstanding public speaker addressing large groups, rallying them to her cause. A whiz at coming up with fundraising ideas, she's not shy about organizing friends and family into committees to work on LAPS FOR CF projects. She also takes the time to send handwritten notes to solicit support and thank volunteers and contributors.
As a result of the event's growth, the LAPS FOR CF FOUNDATION was created to provide organizational support for Emily's LAPS FOR CF event and bring more awareness to and make the fight for improved treatment and a cure more efficient and powerful. The Foundation has three employees and a board of directors, including Emily and her father, helping the organization reach its goal of making "CF" stand for Cure Found. In additional to the swim events, LAPS FOR CF now hosts other fundraising events including concerts, golf tournaments, and more. Volunteer work and donations of time, locations, goods, etc. make the fundraisers possible and increase the amount of money to be donated fighting cystic fibrosis. Funds raised by LAPS FOR CF support various CF causes including CF Care Centers at hospitals, research through the CF Foundation, and family assistance.
In 2008, LAPS FOR CF partnered with BioGuard to host SPLASH FOR CF, a nationwide summer swim program encouraging everyone young and old to jump in the pool to raise money in the fight against cystic fibrosis. The summer of 2010 will mark the third year of the SPLASH FOR CF program.
"I want to do swim events for as long as people will help us. Even though CF doesn't affect that many people, the people who are affected, it's a major part of our lives," says Emily. But, merely finding a cure won't change Emily's fundraising plans. "If there was a cure for CF, that'd be really great," she said, "But that doesn't mean we'd stop the fundraising even then because you've got to pay for treatments and equipment."
Finding a cure won't slow Emily down and neither will CF. Her daily routine includes 30 - 60 minutes of treatment, involving a vigorous clapping on the back and chest to loosen mucus that could trap bacteria and cause infection, along with a steady dose of pills, including pancreatic enzyme supplements to aid in the digestion of food. Emily considers the medication the worst part of her day. However, doctors believe that her swimming has helped strengthen her lungs, a fortunate bonus from her fundraising efforts.
Since the forming of the LAPS FOR CF FOUNDATION, Emily has been featured on NBC's Today Show, the Crystal Cathedral and numerous local television newscasts. She has also been featured in numerous state and national publications including Sports Illustrated, Sports Illustrated for Kids and American Girl Magazine. For more information, please visit www.lapsforcf.org or www.splashforcf.org.
What is Cystic Fibrosis Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a chronic genetic disease where a defective gene and its protein product cause the body to produce thick, sticky mucus. This mucus clogs the lungs, leading to life-threatening lung infections, and obstructs the pancreas; preventing natural enzymes from helping the body absorb and break down food.
Approximately 30,000 children and adults suffer from CF in the U.S., and it is knows as the #1 genetic killer of children. Before 1990, very few children lived to attend elementary school. Now, the median life expectancy is 37. In less than 20 years, advances in research and treatment have extended the life expectancy of CF patients more than 30 years! Research and care improvement are truly making a difference.
Zagers Pool & Spa is proud to support Splash for CF with an annual event at our Jamestown Location and donation opportunities at all of our stores.
Tim Bosch is a local West Michigan kid that started life in an unusual way. He was born with Osteogenesis Imperfecta, more commonly known as Brittle Bone Disease. Even though some of Tim’s nearly 12 fractures in the uterus healed on their own, he was born with 12 fractured bones. Since that time, Tim’s Mom, Deb, estimates Tim has endured countless surgeries and a minimum of 400 breaks. Feeling normal is not something Tim gets to experience on a regular basis, but his new Aquatic Fitness System, or AFS, gives him a place to be a normal kid. 
