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WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. -- A dedicated group of swimming scouts and their friends and family, dubbed Team BoyScouts, found some relief from the heat wave at Saxon Woods Pool on Saturday and in the process raised big money in a fund-raiser to combat cancer for the Swim Across America-Long Island Sound organization.
According to organizer Karen Rivituso, the event raised approximately $6,500, an amount that is expected to reach nearly $10,000 when all proceeds are in.
"The morning was bright, sunny and warm," said Rivituso, whose family sent several members into the pool. "The team gathered and jumped in at 8 a.m. Team BoyScouts made a big splash in their fight against cancer."
The Saxon Woods Pool swim was one of several Westchester pool swims being held this summer at local clubs and pools in coordination with Swim Across American-Long Island Sound's big event on July 28 when hundreds of swimmers and their teams swim the Long Island Sound to the base camp at the Larchmont Yacht Club. SAA-Long Island Sound is celebrating its 20th anniversary this summer.
Swim Across America, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, raised $1.2 million last year and has raised more than $12 million over 19 years. Proceeds from local swim events go to several organizations including, Cancer Support Team of Westchester County, Tommy Palazzo Fellowship at Columbia University, Morgan Stanley Childrens Hospital of New York Presbyterian Medical Center, DeMatteo Research and SAAs laboratories at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.
"We are challenging all the Scouts out there to join the team," Rivituso said. "We will be swimming at the New York Athletic Club on July 6 next."
The team members who swam on Saturday were: Michael P. Rivituso - Captain - adult, Raymond D. Rivituso (age 12), Michael A. Rivituso (8), Karen Rivituso, James Lord (12), Dr. Alfonso Ponce - Oliver Ponce (4), Hailey Beth Helmer (6), Thomas Gianetti (8), Justin Leydon (11), Conor Leydon (14) and Jake Guagnini (11). Those swimming off-site included: Shannon Powelson (12), Michael Margolis (12), Brian Margolis (10) and Vincent Violi - age 11
To join Team BoyScouts or to learn more about Swim Across America-Long Island Sound, log on at http://www.swimacrossamerica.org/site/TR?team_id=2430&fr_id=1514&pg=team
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