RANDOLPH, NJ- The Randolph YMCA Swim team ( Nicknamed the “RANY Sharks Swim Team” ), recently presented a check for $1,182.30 to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in honor of team member Michael Catrambone.
“Our efforts to give back this season took on a special meaning when we learned one of our swimmers, Michael Catrambone, was facing a difficult illness,” said Parent Board President Deb Kaufmann. “During the course of his treatments, Michael took note that his fellow patients at Memorial Sloan Kettering could use more Lego sets to play with. The response from our team and from the YMCA staff was amazing, and the ‘Lego Drive’ was born.”
The check presentation took place at the teams’ year-end banquet, which was a celebration of the success they had this season. In addition to competing in the water and learning valuable life lessons, the Y team puts forth a strong effort to support multiple causes throughout the year.
“As a YMCA team, we embrace and celebrate the opportunity we are given to live and breathe the “Y” Values of respect, responsibility, honesty and caring,” said board member Laurie Anne Trezza, before presenting the donation check. “Our team has shown incredible generosity with every cause we take on.”
In addition to the Lego Drive and the “Coins for a Cure” (which raised the money for Leukemia), the team also held a “Onesie Drive” for the Morristown Medical Center Neonatal Unit, and two swim-a-thons, “Swim for a Cause” and “Swim for Sally”.
“Every year we make it a point to do community and charity based events as a crucial element to our team environment,” said coach Hillary Collins. “Our swim team is a perfect example of the YMCA values in action. This year, our social responsibility hit close to home and I am very proud that we sprung to action to give back and help others in need.
When it came time to dive into the water for meets and competitions, the Randolph YMCA swimmers also put forth a strong effort in their season results.
“We had an overwhelmingly successful Championship season with best times and swimmers achieving new heights,” said Collins. “We recently sent swimmers to high level meets such as YMCA States, New Jersey Swimming Junior Olympics, Eastern Zone Age Group Championships, and YMCA Nationals.”
During the winter season, the YMCA swimmers broke 14 team records.
Collins also listed the following when describing her team, which she refers to as the “RANY Family”:
- 138 Fast swimmers & good humans
- 9 Dedicated & Caring Coaches
- A LOT of Supportive Parents
- 576 Best times at our Championship meets
- 26 + weeks of Practice
- 14 Team Records Broken.
- 1 Truck Load of Legos donated to the pediatric Oncology Floor at MSK
- $1182.30 coins/small donations raised at dual meets for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
- 117 Preemie onesies/sleepers for the NICU at Morristown Memorial Medical Center
- Almost $7000 raised for our Annual Swim for A Cause
RANY IS THE FAMILY YOU CHOOSE!
