The last two weekends in October at the Wilton Family YMCA the Wilton Y Wahoos hosted their first breast cancer awareness meets. The meets were a great time and a big success. The swimmers showed their support for the cause by painting the pool pink wearing pink swim caps. The swimming and YMCA community also came together for a large bake sale. Numerous Wahoo swimming families helped out with baking and selling the baked goods throughout the two competitions. Also handed out at the bake sale were education pamphlets for breast cancer awareness. The proceeds of the meet went to Susan G Komen Connecticut and the Get in Touch Foundation totaling $3,500. The fundraising efforts were led by two wahoo swimmers, Hugo Sykes and Elizabeth Sargent, along with the guidance and help from Coach Matt Hall.
left to right: Randy Erlenbach, Wilton Family YMCA Director of Competitive Aquatics; Elizabeth Sargent, Wilton Y Wahoo Swimmer; Mary Ann Wasil Nilan, Get in Touch CEO.
This was the first time the Wahoos have held a fundraising meet of this kind and plan on organizing future breast cancer awareness events. The competition brought the community together and the team’s giving graciousness shined. Head Coach for the Wilton Y Wahoos, Randy Erlenbach said, “It was a wonderful opportunity for our team to ban together for a cause that is important to all of us.” Bob McDowell, Executive Director of the Wilton Family YMCA added “We are proud to put on the pink and support Breast Cancer Awareness month and proud of our youth for giving back to the community.”
The Wilton Family YMCA has been an integral part of the fabric of our community for 40 years providing more than 120 programs to over 9,000 community members, and as a charitable organization continues to rely on the support of sponsors, donors and the public to continue its mission of maximizing the personal potential of all individuals in the community. By nurturing the potential of every child and teen, improving the community’s health and well-being, and supporting and serving our neighbors, the Wilton Family YMCA ensures that everyone has the opportunity to become healthier, more confident, connected and secure.
To learn more about the Wilton Family YMCA and how you and your family can get involved, please visit wiltonymca.org or join us on Facebook.
left to right: Bob McDowell, Wilton Family YMCA Executive Director; Hugo Sykes, Wilton Y Wahoo Swimmer; Jeanine Gutauskas, Susan G Komen CT Affiliate, Director, Fairfield County
Swimming News courtesy of Wilton Y Wahoos.