On July 8, 105 young swimmers raised more than $13,000 during the 40th annual Carole Schiavo Kids Swim for Health held at the Mainland Recreation Association pool in Linwood.
Members of the Auxiliary of Shore Medical Center took their places on the pool deck to count the number of laps swimmers completed. Swimmers ages 5-18 completed 6,900 laps and raised over $13,000. Prior to swimming, coach Mike Schiavo set an incentive lap goal for each age group. 61 out of the 105 winners met or exceeded their lap goal.
The first event held in 1982 was called the Kids for Kids Swim-A-Thon and funded special pediatric projects at Shore Medical Center. The event was renamed in memory of longtime auxiliary member Carole Schiavo. To date, the group has raised over $310,000, with proceeds now going toward cancer care at Shore.
At the pizza party awards ceremony held on July 21, Brenda Martello, Chairperson of the Auxiliary, thanked Coach Schiavo for always supporting the Kids Swim for Health, and presented him with a plaque commemorating the 40th anniversary of the event. Martello presented trophies to the top three swimmers who swam the most laps in each age category, as well to the top three fundraisers in each age category. She also presented a $10 Visa gift card to all swimmers who met or exceeded their incentive lap goal.
