Swim Across America comes to Lynbrook again and raises money for cancer research

After 15 years, the annual Swim Across America fundraiser is still going strong in the Lynbrook community.

Swim Across America is a fundraiser for cancer research where participants are challenged to raise $100 and swim one mile at the Lynbrook village pool.

Last year, the fundraiser raised $8,556 and over the last 14 years, it has raised over $200k. This year’s event kicked off on July 26 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., as neighbors enjoyed a nice night at the pool.

“I’m most looking forward to seeing everyone get out and contribute to the cause,” Emily Bergin, the coordinator of Lynbrook Swim Across America, said.
“We started doing it as a nighttime event a couple years ago and that has definitely been a positive change,” Bergin continued. “I remember when we began 15 years ago in 2009. I participated as a 6 year old.”

Bergin has coordinated this event for the past four years. She said that her mom, along with her friend Kelly Stapleton, went to Nassau County’s Swim Across America and wanted to bring it to Lynbrook.

After years of Bergin’s brother and Stapleton’s daughter being the lead coordinator, Bergin eventually inherited that role.

This annual event serves as an opportunity to bring the Lynbrook community together. Lynbrook Village Mayor Alan Beach and trustees attend the event alongside village residents. At every event, speakers are welcomed to share their stories in the fight against cancer.

“I look forward to getting to see everyone get out and contribute to the cause,” Bergin said prior to the event. “It’s healing for those affected by cancer to share their stories. A lot of families come together.”

Opening up the pool on a hot summer night and challenging participants to swim as many laps as possible adds a splash of family fun to the night.

By volunteering in Lynbrook Swims Across America, Lynbrook residents raise money and awareness in the community. Different methods of fundraising, including Facebook fundraising, are used to raise money.

“Facebook fundraising has really taken off,” Bergin said. “Everyone links their Swim Across America account to the platform, which is great because it opens up a whole world of donations far and wide to help this cause.”

Volunteers who raise over $1,000 get the title of “Wavemakers.”

Bergin noted that there are usually a couple of Wavemakers each year and they get a special swag gift from Swim Across America, as well as recognition at the event. Bergin herself was a Wavemaker at last year’s event.

Jason Diaz, captain of the Lynbrook village Swim Across America team, has been a Wavemaker each year he’s participated in the event. Bergin said she appreciates him for recruiting his teammates to join in on the event. Diaz also sings the national anthem during the opening ceremony.

“He has an amazing voice and sings our national anthem during the opening ceremony,” Bergin said.” Some volunteers find other ways to contribute to the event as well. Pauline Brennan who, a Lynbrook resident who is in a wheelchair, has done 38 miles of wheelchairing already to participate in the event.”

Bergin noted that she is grateful for the staff at the pool who always help out at the event. She said that the mayor, trustees, and recreation department help Swim Across America raise a lot of money towards finding a cure for cancer.