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 My Site News: PITTSFORD SWIMMERS RAISE NEARLY $2,900 TO FIGHT BREAST CANCER |
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PITTSFORD SWIMMERS RAISE NEARLY $2,900 TO FIGHT BREAST CANCER
Pittsford’s high school swimmers proved that they can flex their muscles just as well on dry land as they can in the water – especially in support of a good cause. The boys and girls swimming and diving teams joined forces on October 16 to take part in “the walk” to raise funds for “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer,” tallying an impressive $2,885 for education and research to find a cure for the disease.
The blue Sutherland and maroon Mendon varsity jackets were much in evidence as 45 swimmers – 28 girls and 17 boys – traded their goggles for sneakers and joined the thousands who walked through downtown Rochester to raise funds for the fight against breast cancer. Every swimmer brought in contributions from sponsors who supported their participation in the walk.
“So many people know someone affected by breast cancer, it’s really surprising,” said Ben Silverstein, a senior swimmer who helped organize the boys’ team. “This hits closer to home than anything else,” he said.
Freshman swimmer Meghan Green, who organized the girls’ effort, agreed.
“A lot of people have relatives or friends who have been touched by this disease,” Green said.
Both Green and Silverstein said having the teams combine their efforts helped bring out a good response. More than 50 swimmers, parents and coaches gathered at the home of one of the swimmers for an early breakfast, than carpooled to Frontier Field to take part in the event on a blustery fall day.
While the boys swim season is just gearing up, the girls took time out of a busy schedule that included three meets in less than a week to participate in the fund raiser. Both the girls’ and the boys’ teams are the defending New York State champions in their high school divisions.
Head Coach Mark Morris, who joined his boys for the walk, noted that the team has made a commitment to community service, taking part in at least six events over the past three years.
“This was an opportunity to give back to the community that supports them,” Morris said. “It’s an important lesson for the team to be part of.”
It was a lesson that was appreciated by all the swimmers, especially Green and Silverstein, who said it was the biggest charity fund raiser either had taken part in.
“I’ve never seen so many people do so much for one cause,” Silverstein said. “It was a great turn-out, the team had a good time, and we helped make a difference.”
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