Dive Into the 13th Annual Swim-a-Cross for the Red Cross

The American Red Cross in Nassau County (ARC/Nassau) encourages swimmers of all ages to join in its 13th Annual Swim-a-Cross on Friday, Aug. 16, at Centre Island Beach in Bayville. The Swim-a-Cross is a one-mile swim across Oyster Bay Harbor. All proceeds will benefit local ARC/Nassau services, including disaster relief and lifesaving programs in health and safety.

Members of the Swim-a-Cross Committee met at ARC/Nassau in Mineola. Pictured (left to right) are ARC/Nassau former board member Hon. Ute Lally of Centre Island; ARC/Nassau Director of Special Events Jennifer Wolf of Lake Grove; ARC/Nassau Director of Financial Development Maryann Slutsky of Glen Head; ARC/Nassau Vice Chairman Edward Mohlenhoff, Esq. of Oyster Bay; ARC/Nassau Director of Public Relations James K. Green of Farmingdale; ARC/Nassau Public Relations Volunteer Thea Linscott of East Meadow; and ARC/Nassau Health and Safety Instructor Trainer Pia Haselbach of Port Washington.

Check-in is at 9 a.m. at Centre Island Beach. ARC/Nassau encourages spectators to come and cheer on the swimmers. There is no time limit to finish the swim, just swimming for a good cause. Participants must have a strong swimming background and must be able to swim a mile in a pool. Refreshments will be available for all participants.

This year, the Swim-a-Cross will take on a special meaning. More than 150 swimmers are expected to participate and many will likely swim in memory of a loved one who lost their life during the World Trade Center terrorist attacks on Sept. 11. ARC/Nassau encourages swimmers to take part in this meaningful tribute and receive a commemorative Red Cross Sept. 11 pin. Submit a picture of your loved one for the Sept. 11 Memory Board that will be on display at the event.

The pre-registration fee is $25 and day of registration is $35 at the beach. Raise $50 in sponsorships and receive a Swim-a-Cross T-shirt. Other prizes are available for sponsorships of more than $50. Sign up now and start to get sponsors. For registration information, call ARC/Nassau at 747-3500, ext. 251 or download a registration form from www.NassauRedCross.org. The Red Cross receives no government support and relies solely on the community for support, so get in the swim of things and sign up today.

ARC/Nassau is a not-for-profit humanitarian service organization that is not a government agency, receives no government funding, and relies on the generous donations of others. ARC/Nassau provides emergency assistance to victims of disasters, such as hurricanes, winter storms, fires, floods, and manmade disasters. ARC/Nassau teaches CPR, First Aid, Water Safety, Infant/Child CPR, and other health-related courses. ARC/Nassau also provides services to youth and the military and their families. To volunteer, take a health and safety course, or make a financial contribution to support Red Cross services in Nassau County, call ARC/Nassau at 747-3500. To learn more, visit www.NassauRedCross.org. The American Red Cross...Together, we can save a life.