Frazz creator Jef Mallett is swimming Michigan's Straits of Mackinac to benefit Habitat for Humanity; readers can help and score custom swag.

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UPDATE: That little Straits of Mackinac swim fundraiser it seems like we just started? You've raised more than $12,000 for Habitat for Humanity. I challenge any cartoonist - anybody anywhere - to come up with cooler friends, fans and readers than I have.

So let's finish this in style. Negative-split it, as the swimmers say. Starting this evening, Wednesday, Aug. 19 at 8:00PM, we're going to auction off my wetsuit. With a little bonus: It's your chance to swim the Straits with Frazz.

I've already painted Frazz on one side of the wetsuit. If you're the high bidder, I'll paint your caricature (or a friend's or family member's) on the other side, and you can make the swim with us. After the swim, the wetsuit's yours.

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Here's my mission statement: Grow up happy, healthy, smart and slowly.

And here's my latest attempt at fulfilling it: I'm swimming across the Straits of Mackinac this Labor Day. The Straits are challenging, fun, a little scary and too beautiful for words. You have to immerse yourself - literally. 

I'm a native Michigander, so the Straits are even more special to me. For Native Americans from Michigan, they're beyond special. They're sacred. 

All this adds up to a swim you don't take lightly. You want to do it right, and you want to show your appreciation by giving back. It's up to me to train and prepare properly for the 5-mile swim, but I'd like to give my readers a chance to help me thank the waters and my good fortune. And I think you'll come out with the better deal. Follow along if you're game:

This swim benefits the Lakeshore chapter of Habitat for Humanity. I'm required to raise $2,800 for them between now and the swim; with your help, I'd love to raise a cool $10,000. And I'll make it worth your while. Donate here under my name, and I'll send you some customized Frazz stuff, what I like to call Scribbled-On Swag (SOS). I have everything from autographed swim caps and Frazz prints to race shirts that I've drawn on to original art to give you in return for your generosity. I'll even deface and advance-auction the wetsuit I wear for the swim.

Follow along on the Frazz Facebook page for current SOS offerings, updates on my preparation for the swim and just for your daily dose of Frazz fun and commentary. Here's how to donate and what you can get for your donation:

HOW TO DONATE:

• Follow this link: www.mightymacdonate.com/default

• Navigate to the "Swimmer" drop down menu and select Jef Mallett, then click DONATE.

• Enter your donation amount. You can pay via credit card or PayPal. 

• Complete your payment by clicking "continue" in the lower left portion of the page.

• Habitat for Humanity will let us know you donated, and we'll ship your swag to the address you list on the donation.

WHAT YOU'LL GET:

$20-40: Hawk Island Triathlon Swim caps

When I lived in Lansing, Michigan, I co-sponsored the Hawk I Tri there for four years by providing the racers' swim caps. They have Frazz cartoons printed on them (a different design each year - collect the set!), and I've autographed the swag versions.

$41-50: Basic event swim caps or number bibs

Caps or numbers I've worn in races, each autographed and defaced with original Frazz art.

$51-60: Premium event swim caps or number bibs

Same as above, but from higher-profile or more memorable events. I love all my races equally, but to borrow from George Orwell's classic "Animal Triathlon," some are more equal than others.

$51-60 Water bottles

Signed and scribbled on.

$61-75: Signed Prints on Archival Paper

Frameable color art of Frazz strips, autographed.

$61-75: T-shirts from races or other events

Some - OK, most - have been worn, but they're all in good shape. Most of the shirts are medium or large. All are defaced with original art and signed.

$99: Official entrant jacket from 2014 USATriathlon nationals

Illustrated and autographed. Pull-over shell. Size medium. One of a kind, so first $99 donation gets it.

$150-200: Signed Original Frazz strips, Monday through Saturday

Original pen-and-ink line art. Image area is 10 inches wide. Due to my limited time and unlimited lack of organization, I can't take requests for specific strips. Though I suppose every man has his price.

$350+ : Signed Original Frazz art, Sunday

Original pen-and-ink line art (image is 18.5 inches wide) plus a frameable color print. Same unfortunate caveat about specific strips.

Thanks so much for your support. This is going to be fun!

-Jef