Yellow Pages
Raising money to keep Anacortes’ community swimming pool and its programs going got a little easier this month.
The Friends of Fidalgo Pool and Fitness Center learned it received 501(c)(3) status in a letter from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service on Aug. 5.
The nonprofit status makes the group eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions and gives it more of a say where those donations go. The change also opens doors for the organization to apply for grants, said facility Director Marilyn Stadler.
“So we’re pretty excited about this,” Stadler said.
The group strives to minimize the burden on taxpayers to the center, a municipal corporation and special purpose district, by raising money for the center’s renovation, equipment updates and programs, by raising community awareness of the importance of healthy activities, and providing volunteer assistance when needed.
Members will be manning a booth at the Senior Resource Fair on Sept. 9 at the Senior Activity Center. They’ll also be helping to educate the public on the pool’s upcoming levy measure and holding a silent auction to raise funds at an open house at the pool on Oct. 27.
An $8 million bond to renovate and expand the aging facility failed in 2007. Since the measure was rejected by voters, the Friends have become more active in raising money for the facility through such events as the annual Fidalgo Pool Festival held in May.
For more information or to join the Friends, contact Stadler at or attend one of their monthly meetings held at 6:30 p.m. typically on the second Tuesday of the month at the center, 1603 22nd St.
