By Julie Shamgochian, Contributing Writer
Westborough – A team of young swimmers, Evolution Aquatics, is inviting the public to join them in a special fundraiser Saturday, Sept. 12, at the Westboro Swim & Tennis Club, 35 Chauncy St. The second annual “All in to Swim” is a relay swim event that will bring together swimmers of all ages and abilities together to help raise money for the Dana Farber Cancer Institute.
The day of the event, from 3-6 p.m., every participant registered will be placed on a relay team to do a tag team of laps. Participants can register independently or as a team. Each member of the team will then take turns swimming 50 yards in a 25-yard pool during a 45-minute time slot.
“Our mission is to give back to the community by applying determination and core values that are learned every day in the pool,” said Caitlin Kean, one of the event organizers.
The team is comprised of 75 experienced swimmers, ages 8 through 18, who not only enjoy the competition but also the companionship among swimmers.
“Our team has always tried to give back to the community by running 5Ks, holding soup drives, or giving our Halloween candy to the troops,” said Kean. “We thought, what better way to give back to the community than to swim for it.”
That community spirit inspired the first All in to Swim event last summer, which raised $5,000 for cancer research. This year the organizers hope to triple that amount.
Maria Burzillo, Greg Cervenak and Natalie Burkett are also co-leading this year’s event. The three stressed that although they themselves are competitive swimmers, the goals of the event are raising funds for an important cause and having fun.
“Everyone knows or has known someone who has had cancer,” Cervenak said. “We just want to do our part to help raise funds for [research and treatment].”
“It doesn’t matter how fast – or slow – they swim,” Burzillo said. “We just want people to come and have fun.”
The event will also have feature food, music, a silent auction and raffle.
“So even if you don’t want to swim, you are welcome to come and enjoy the day and support the swimmers,” Burkett said.
Being able to host the event at a convenient location, which also happens to be the team’s home base, is another asset.
“We are really excited to be holding this at Westboro Swim & Tennis,” Burzillo said. “They have been very flexible and so great to us as we have worked on planning this.”
Entrance fees are $25 online or $35 at the door for general admission; $45 online or $50 at the door for premium admission, which includes special recognition, the chance to choose your swim time, and a free goodie bag. Participants are also encouraged to ask family and friends to consider sponsoring them.
Evolution Aquatics is also currently seeking donations, either for the silent auction and raffle or monetary donations that will be added to the event’s tally. Donations may be made via the team’s page, www.tiny.cc/allintoswim or by contacting Greg at [email protected] or 508-826-2409.
For more information, visit www.tiny.cc/allintoswim, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/DFCIallintoswim or on Twitter at https://twitter.com/AllintoSwim.
Photos/submitted
