Nearly 400 swimmers, from 7-year-olds to teenagers, swam 565 miles in the YWCA Flying Fish swim marathon, a one-hour continuous swim held in late January and early February.
The annual event, which is in its 22nd year, generated $90,000 to support programming at YWCA Evanston/North Shore, which includes the YWCA Flying Fish swim team and learn-to-swim program.
Funds from the swim marathon help support YWCA Evanston/North Shore’s critical programs and services in northern Cook County. In addition to Flying Fish Aquatics, these include programs that work for women’s health and safety, such as YWCA’s comprehensive domestic violence services; women’s economic empowerment; and racial justice and civil rights.
“I’m so inspired when I watch marathon swims,” said Karen Singer, CEO of YWCA Evanston/North Shore. Ms. Singer added, “We could not be more grateful that the hard work of these young swimmers helps support programs and services that benefit our communities.”