Swimmers Raise Money for RAYA Over Holiday Break

The following news was submitted by Rochester Area Youth Assistance.

More than 30 area high school and college students met at over the holiday break for a Swim-A-Thon to raise money for Rochester Area Youth Assistance

Organized by Claire VanRaaphorst, a sophomore at Albion College, the group raised $759 for RAYA. VanRaaphorst, a swimmer in college, knew she’d have to swim over break to keep in shape so she developed a plan where she could swim and raise money too. She brought in former high school swimmers who are home for break along with current high school athletes as well as almost half of the SCHS’s boys' team, whose pool they were using. 

Swimmers either swam a full 5,000 yards or broke up into relays, where each participant swam a portion. The charity event included a restaurant gift card for the person who raised the most money and a raffle for all participants for two "ugly Christmas sweaters."

RAYA provides counseling, family education, and scholarship opportunities for at-risk children in Rochester Community Schools.