Vernon Hills Y team swims to help others learn to swim
Members of the Central Lake YMCA Turtles Swim Team succeeded in raising money not only for their own program but also to help cover the cost of swimming lessons for kids who might not otherwise be able to take them during Swim-a-Thon 2011, the team's annual fund-raiser, Dec. 17 at the Vernon Hills Y.
In addition to helping cover the fees each Turtle team member must pay to enter a competitive meet, a portion of the $4,976.25 raised will be used to offset the cost of swimming lessons for needy children at the Y.
More than $3,500 was raised by 30 participants who sought to swim 200 lengths (5,000 yards) in the Central Lake Y pool or as many lengths as they could in a two-hour period for pledges of either a fixed amount or per-lap completed. Ten of the 30 swimmers completed 200 laps while 11 others completed more than 100 laps. The rest of the money was generated by apparel and raffle ticket sales. Food for the event was donated by Giuseppe Pizza of Lincolnshire.
Fund raising is an important part of the well-rounded Lake County Family YMCA swim program, offered at its Vernon Hills and Waukegan branches, which also includes volunteering and social responsibility development.
“It's part of our social responsibility that shows dedication to the program,” says Turtles coach Maureen Rancourt. “The kids learn that things in life don't always come easily or free, and that by putting some extra effort into something you can get a rewarding outcome. They really showed that by working together at this event.”
This season's Turtles team comprises 83 members ranging in age from 6 to 18 who live in several Lake County communities. After a break for the holidays, they'll compete in a double-dual meet against Foglia YMCA of Lake Zurich and High Ridge YMCA of Chicago in the Foglia pool.
For more information about YMCA swimming, contact Rancourt, Lake County Family YMCA's director of competitive swimming, at (847) 367-6797 or mrancourt@ymcalakecounty.org
The Lake County Family YMCA is a cause-driven nonprofit that strengthens the community through programs and services that foster youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Founded in 1892 as a 501 (C) 3 nonprofit, our association is comprised of the Central Lake YMCA in Vernon Hills, Northern Lake YMCA in Waukegan and Early Head Start in Waukegan. To learn more, visit www.ymcalakecounty.org.