It's February...Everybody in the pool!!

OK, this winter's been wonderfully mild, but it's not exactly pool weather. So imagine the excitement some students in Niagara County must have felt when presented with the opportunity to dive into the water while doing something to help out their neighbors in need!

Swim-A-Cross at Gaskill Prep in Niagara Falls

Yesterday, the kids at Gaskill Prep in Niagara Falls took their turn at the 31st annual Swim-A-Cross.  13 students collected pledges from their friends and family, then under the supervision of P.E. teacher Mr. Lozina, hit the school pool and swam as many laps as they could, and were replenished with a little snack afterwards. You could see how excited the kids were to be able to do some swimming during these long winter months, and it was neat to see their reactions when Development Associate Emily Shafer explained to them how their efforts help others.

The swimmers also get a little something for themselves; those that raise between $25-$74.99 will receive a commemorative t-shirt, with those earning $75 or more receiving a commemorative "hoodie" sweatshirt, both featuring the 2012 Swim-A-Cross logo designed by Niagara Falls High School art student Adrianna Van Hyfte.

Gaskill Prep is just one of the schools taking part in this long-standing tradition.  Channel 2 and the Niagara Gazette both recently featured Emily Lauzonis, a fourth-grader at Lew-Port Intermediate who raised an amazing $1,100 to benefit the Red Cross, and faculty and staff at several other schools are currently planning their Swim-A-Cross events.  In all, the Swim-A-Cross raises nearly $20,000 annually to support the life-saving mission of the American Red Cross, Serving Erie & Niagara Counties.  If you'd like to learn more about how to be a part of this wet-'n-wild fundraiser, please contact Emily Shafer at emily.shafer@redcross.org.