COMMUNITIES & CLUBS:

The public is invited to participate in the Swim for Life Foundation’s sixth annual ocean swim at 10 a.m. at Corona del Mar’s main beach.

Along with scores of Orange County residents, local Olympians interested in participating in the 1.5-mile swim include Janet Evans (’88, ’92 and ’96 Olympics), Bruce Furniss (’76 Olympics), Erich Fischer (’92 Olympics), Andrew Strenk (’68 Olympics) and John Mykkanen (’84 Olympics), as well as Chad Hundeby, the 11-year world record-holder for the English Channel swim and 74-year-old Buddy Belshe, legendary Newport Beach lifeguard and open-water master.

Participation in the ocean swim is free; however, donations are appreciated.

Participants younger than 15 must swim with a parent or adult “buddy.”

To participate in the event or make a donation, call Cindy Johnson at (714) 227-6000 or Johnny Johnson at (714) 225-7680 at the Swim for Life Foundation. For more information, call (714) 832-8910.

This year’s swim, themed “Drowning is Preventable” to promote water safety awareness, will be followed by a family beach party for participants and their guests.

The annual event has drawn hundreds of spectators and participants over the years while raising thousands of dollars for the Tustin-based Swim for Life Foundation in support of the “Safer 3” program, its multilayered approach to drowning prevention that covers safer water, safer kids and safer response.

Supported locally by the Orange County Fire Authority, the “Safer 3” message has been endorsed nationally by the United States Swim School Assn., National Drowning Prevention Alliance, Pampers, McDonald’s, FedEx and Toyota.

NAVY LEAGUE MEETS SATURDAY

The Navy League, Newport Beach Council will hold a general membership meeting 8:30 a.m. Saturday at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club, 1601 Bayside Drive, followed by a breakfast buffet at 9 a.m. Capt. Jonathan Kurtz, the commanding officer at the Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach, will be the featured speaker. For more information, call Sally Nockold at (949) 644-6105.

WORTH REPEATING

Thought for the Day as provided by Greg Kelley of the Newport Mesa Irvine Interfaith Council … “What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal.”

— Albert Pike

SERVICE CLUB MEETINGS THIS WEEK

How are you giving back to your community? Help your community and the world through a service club! For many, service club membership is an extension of our religious beliefs and congregational affiliation. You are invited to attend a service club meeting this coming week to learn more about opportunity for service. Most clubs will buy your first meal for you as you get acquainted with them.

TODAY

7:30 a.m.: The 10-member Newport Harbor Kiwanis Club meets at Denny’s Restaurant, 290 Bristol St., Costa Mesa.

Noon: the Exchange Club of Corona del Mar meets at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club for a program by Dave Stevson.

6 p.m.: The 62-member Rotary Club of Newport-Balboa meets at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club for a program honoring the Newport Beach Fire Department and Chief Steve Lewis. For more information, visit www.newportbalboa.org.

THURSDAY

7 a.m.: The 20-member Costa Mesa Orange Coast Lions Club meets at Mimi’s Café, 1835 Newport Blvd. Unit F, Costa Mesa.

Noon: The 50-member Costa Mesa Kiwanis Club meets at the Holiday Inn, 3131 Bristol St., Costa Mesa. For more information, visit www.costamesakiwanis.org.

The 45-member Kiwanis Club of Newport Beach-Corona del Mar meets at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club. Visit www.newportbeachkiwanis.org.

The 85-member Rotary Club of Newport Irvine meets at the University Club at UCI. For information, visit www.nirotary.org.

The 95-member Exchange Club of Newport Harbor meets at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club for the DARE Awards and a demonstration by the Newport Beach Police Department Swat Team. For details, visit members.cox.net/nhexchange club/index.htm.

TUESDAY

7:30 a.m.: The 52-member Newport Beach Sunrise Rotary Club meets at Five Crowns Restaurant, 3801 E. Coast Hwy., for a program by a guest from Kenya, Father Henry Simaro, and the president of the African Child Fund, Lauren Peterson. For more information, visit www.newportbeachsunriserotary.org.

Noon: The 20-member Rotary Club of Costa Mesa meets at the Costa Mesa Marriott Suites, 500 Anton Blvd.

COMMUNITY & CLUBS is published Wednesdays. Send your service club’s meeting information by fax to (714) 921-8655 or by e-mail to jdeboom@aol.com.