Last Saturday, Jen Batzing and I, along with 200+ other swimmers gathered at Keuka College to raise money for the Keuka Comfort Home - a local hospice that supports people at the end of their lives ... The event is called Krossin' Keuka and the organization is amazing!
We're organized into pods of ~8 swimmers and dropped off at the far side of the lake -- across from Keuka Collage. Then, we swim back - aiming for the chapel, with the morning sunrise glow illuminating it. There are giant orange floating balls that show us the way, and dozens of kayakers (and even a dive team) to keep us safe. If a swimmer tires, the kayakers provide immediate assistance. Every few minutes, another pod of swimmers is dropped off and starts its swim across.
Meanwhile the music is playing on the point, spectators are cheering and there's lots of carbs and fruit for the swimmers. And, in just a couple of hours -- it is over; but we're already marking our calendars for 2025!!
Fundraisers such as this [and the run for Bampa's House in Corning] are key to helping provide this valuable service and help ensure that people without funds can have this assistance.
So -- with the support that many of you in Corning Rotary [and our other friends and family] provided, Jen and I helped contribute to the $121,412.06 that was raised.
Thank you!!
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Here are additional thank-you's from the Krossin' Keuka Organization:
We also want to extend our heartfelt thanks to the Yates County Sheriffâs Department Marine Patrol for their essential support and to all the incredible businesses that backed Krossinâ Keuka 2024. A round of applause for Morgan Marina, Single Enterprises, Riley Earl Films, Tops, Rob Kinyoun, Grapevine Country Tours, Seneca Falls Health Center, and our fantastic DJ Nate Baker from FLX Entertainment. Your contributions helped turn this event into a phenomenal success.
The magic of Krossinâ Keuka is built on a blend of hard work, dedication, and boundless community spirit. We canât wait to see you all next year for even more fun and fundraising on Saturday, July 26, 2025. Until then, thank you for making this year unforgettable!