Swim to Alcatraz to Benefit Building Futures

Local business owner John Notch has announced his intention to swim the 2,500 frigid yards from San Francisco to Alcatraz Island to benefit Building Futures with Women and Children.

At 10 am on August 17th, Notch, joined by his son Jeremy, 24, and his daughter Andrea, 21, will brave the Bay waters to raise funds for Building Futures, a San Leandro-based nonprofit that has served homeless and abused women and children since 1988. Members of the community are encouraged to sponsor John and by making a donation that will support Building Futures' work.

No stranger to pushing himself physically to help publicize charitable agencies and the importance of good health, in 1978 Notch raised $17,000 for the American Heart Association when he traversed the state of California by swimming from San Francisco's Cliff House to Treasure Island, then to the Berkeley marina, then running from there to Stateline, Nevada.

Every donation to support the Notch family's effort will help Building Futures to serve women and children in need. To participate, send donations to Building Futures with Women and Children, 1395 Bancroft Avenue, San Leandro, CA 94577. Building Futures' tax identification number is 94-3100741.

John Notch is the owner of Top Notch Energy Fireplaces and Hot Tubs at 1225 MacArthur Blvd. near Estudillo Avenue. He can be reached at (510) 483-6600 or topnotchenergy@sbcglobal.net

Building Futures operates the San Leandro Shelter, Sister Me Home Safe House, the Midway Shelter, and Bessie Coleman Court, a supportive housing site for formerly homeless women and children. The nonprofit organization helps 4,000 women and children each year. For information about Building Futures with Women and Children, call Patricia Bidar at (510) 357-0205, ext. 114 or visit www.bfwc.org.

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