On a hot, steamy and humid evening on Tuesday, Aug. 2, and with temperatures reaching the mid-90s, the Swimmers from Levittown's Swimming Association (LSA) banded together and held their first-ever Swim-A-Thon and swam from 4 to 9:15 p.m. in honor of LSA's 50th Anniversary (1955-2005).

Typically, the Association's nine pools hold competitive swim meets against each other throughout the summer, but for this event they decided to join forces and swim as one, as noted on the black and gold 50th Anniversary T-shirts each swimmer wore. The slogan reads, "We're in this Together," and in it they were as they swam 200 miles while collecting $7,000 in the process and far exceeding the Association's goal of 50 miles and $4,000. "It was such an unbelievable night and we are all so very proud of the swimmers," said LSA's President Mike Fallarino. "They did such an outstanding job and their sportsmanship and camaraderie were great. Kids were getting in the water, swimming 72 laps and then getting on line to swim again. Some of our senior swimmers, who are now town lifeguards, came after work at 7 p.m. after working a full day, jumped in the water and literally had to be pulled out when our time had expired at 9:15 p.m." Personally Yours DJ kept the kids going with the sounds of upbeat music playing the entire time.

During the initial planning for this event, the members of LSA thought it would be a good idea to raise pledges for the miles swam and decided on donating any money received to two charitable organizations that help kids. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Levittown and Ronald McDonald House were selected; and both organizations were on hand to thank the swimmers for their hard work but, more importantly, their contribution to less fortunate children in the community.

Next up for LSA is championship weekend. Trials will be held on Saturday, Aug. 13 and finals on Sunday, Aug. 14, at which time the organization will formally present the donations to Big Brothers Big Sisters and Ronald McDonald House, as well as the awards to the swimmers. The award ceremony will be followed by an old-fashion family picnic and will be held at the Jerusalem Avenue Pool. The organization is also planning a trip to Splish Splash on Tuesday, Aug. 30.