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Hannah Nemerever is a seventh-grade student at George Fisher Middle School, and is studying for her Bat Mitzvah at Temple Beth Elohim. She has volunteered to do community service work for school and is required to do a Mitzvah (good deed) for her religious education. She found a way to do both.
Her first challenge was to find something that was important to her and something she enjoyed. Hannah’s first question to her parents was that she wanted to do something to help kids in need. They searched the Internet for ideas and came across Blythedale Children’s Hospital. The website had more than enough information and included a video explaining what they do. The challenge was – how could they raise funds?
Hannah is a member of the USA Swim Team at Club Fit in Jefferson Valley. She approached Club Fit swim coach Kerri Going-Balbino, and was told that the swim team has raised funds for charities in the past.
Lena Cavanna, director of fundraising at Blythedale, invited Hannah in to meet with her and to give her a personal tour of the facility, where she could understand the importance of the operation and why they need help.
The next step was to contact Jacquie Giannico, marketing director at Club Fit, to bring the event together. Her efforts tied both of the Club Fit Swim Teams together – Jefferson Valley and Briarcliff. With all parties on board, a plan was laid out to get each team to fund raise together, with a Swimathon for Blythedale, on Friday, Dec. 9. Each swimmer was given a package to help solicit funds either by lump sum or by lap.
All in all, the event was exciting, the kids had fun, and more importantly, they raised money for a great cause. A donation check for almost $11,105.85 will be presented to Blythedale, thanks to Hannah’s idea and the Club Fit USA Swim Team.
For more information, please visit, http://www.clubfit.com/blog/club-fit-swims-for-blythedale/hannah/
