20 Bridge Swim supporting Full Circle Adoptions

My name is Steve Spiegel, and this year I feel honored to have been accepted to complete the 20 Bridge Swim around Manhattan Island on September 10th, 2022. This 28.5-mile (48.5-km) swim, a personal goal of mine, was named for the 20 bridges connecting Manhattan island to the other New York boroughs and the state of New Jersey.

I want to use the opportunity I've been given to attempt this swim to raise money for Full Circle Adoptions, the non-profit agency that helped Lydia and me form our family of four. We continue to be thankful for the impact Full Circle Adoptions has had on our lives and their tireless and respectful work for birthparents and adoptive families. 100% of your donation will go to the Full Circle Adoptions' Stout Family Fund, which provides loans or grants to prospective adoptive families who need a little financial help with the costs of an adoption situation.

During the swim, a dedicated kayaker will lead the way through the challenging Hudson, East, and Harlem Rivers and help me navigate the currents and boat traffic. Since this swim will take between 8 - 10 hours to complete, they will also be able to pass me food and drink when I need it! In addition to the dedicated kayaker, there will be a support boat with me, carrying my wife Lydia, a close swimmer friend whose family also grew through adoption and an official observer. To learn more about the 20 Bridge Swim and to track my progress on September 10th, 2022, you can visit New York Open Water's page about the event.

Thank you so much for reading. I'm very grateful to have the chance to attain this personal goal while highlighting the work of an organization that is so important to my family. If you feel inspired, please consider supporting Full Circle Adoptions by donating to this Go Fund Me.

Steve Spiegel