History of the Heartsong Swim
The first HEARTSONG SWIM was held on July 4, 2007 at the King Farm Pool. The event was co-sponsored by the Mattie J.T. Stepanek Foundation and the King Farm Screamin’ Geese Swim Team under the leadership of Coach Ethan Bassett. The 2007 Heartsong Swim was the cornerstone event of the City of Rockville, Maryland’s Mattie Stepanek Week (July 2 to July 6, 2007). The 2007 SWIM raised over $16,000 for completion of the statue of Mattie and his service dog, Micah, at the 26-acre Mattie J.T. Stepanek Park at King Farm in Rockville, MD. The City of Rockville also provided logistical support for the inaugural event.
Goals for the 2008 Heartsong Swim
Mattie was a King Farm resident, and his mother, Jeni Stepanek, still resides in the community and brings Micah to the very park that bears her son’s name.
This year’s event intends to raise $50,000 . The funds raised will go toward the spreading of Mattie’s message of hope and peace, including installation of a statue of Mattie and Micah, which is currently under construction in Italy, a solar-powered “Soundpost”, containing a Digital Message repeater which will be located in the Peace Garden near the statue, curriculum and book programs in schools and colleges, and modernizing the web site.
Event organizers expect over 200 members of the Rockville community to participate in the two-hour marathon swim event, and lane space has expanded this year from six to 20. The City of Rockville has taken a leadership role in this year’s event and is providing a larger facility (the Rockville Municipal Swim Center) for the Heartsong Swim.
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