Pies & Pen's Fundraiser for Swim Across America

3rd Annual Fundraiser Set

“PIES & PENS” to benefit Swim Across America

Sixth annual Greenwich-Stamford Open Water Swim benefits The Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy

Wilton, CT- May 22, 2012 – Making Waves To Fight Cancer – that is what Swim Across America does so well. Team Kicking Cancer for Karen, Chris & Friends will hold their annual Pies & Pens fundraiser on Saturday, June 2nd at the Wilton YMCA.

“Our goal is to continue to raise more awareness for Swim Across America (SAA) and have more people swim this year to support the cause,” shares Wilton resident and team captain Jim O’Brien. “Our family loves swimming. To celebrate my wife Karen’s completion of treatment for breast cancer in 2010, my daughters Kristine and Caroline and I decided to form a SAA team and get our family and friends to join us. We had over 20 swimmers the first two years and our goal is to have 25 swimmers this year. The age and level of our team varies widely from 12-55 years old with goals to swim the ½, 1 1.2, 3 mile and one 5 mile swimmer!

Team member Tom Botini of Wilton was one of two people to complete the 5 mile swim last year! Our team also includes veteran SAA competitors Greg and Jeff Sargent, Pete Holmquist, Doug and Mitchell Towne, Stan Berizzi and many Wilton Wahoo swimmers along with first timers including New Jersey high school swimmer Owen Vaughn and father/son duo of Dudley and Dillan Reid from Pennsylvania who will do the open water swim at Cummings Point on Saturday, June 30th.

 Swim Across America, Inc. is dedicated to raising money and awareness for cancer research, prevention and treatment through swimming and related events.  With the help of hundreds of volunteers nationwide and past and current Olympians, SAA is helping to find a cure for cancer through athleticism, community outreach and direct service. SAA began 25 years ago and has generated over $25 million to date by banding together and swimming across our nations beautiful open waters and pools. Olympian Janel Jorgenson, a 1988 Silver Medalist and former Wilton Wahoo is the National Executive Director of Swim Across America. www.swimacrossamerica.org

“My family has stepped up once again to do an open water swim not only in my name, but in memory of my brother-in-law Chris and friend Joan who fought courageous battles with brain cancer and in support of Scott and Charlotte,” notes Karen O’Brien.  “So many friends and family members have signed up to swim and raise money for cancer research. I am honored.”

 The “Pies and Pens” sale will feature both homemade and specialty bakery pies from donors including SoNo Bakery, Angela Mia and Stew Leonard’s.  Handmade wooden pens from J. Randolph Pens in Bethlehem Pennsylvania by woodworker Jim Habick will also be on sale. These fine writing instruments make special gifts for both dads and grads!

Any size donation is welcome with a thank you gift for all.

The Swim Across America Pies & Pens Fundraiser, Saturday, June 2nd from 10 - 4pm in the Wilton YMCA lobby. Come by for a slice!