15-year-old Mary-Kate Poulin is making a big splash in the area as she swims across Great Sacandaga Lake on August 7, 2011, to raise autism awareness.
According to Autism Speaks, 1 in 110 children are diagnosed with an autistic spectrum disorder. One of these is Poulin’s 14-year-old brother.
Poulin says the diagnosis and an ongoing family joke about swimming across the lake as a workout lead her to take up the endeavor with her friends to raise money for Autism Speaks, the leading advocate for awareness and research funding in the autism community.
The swim will be a good challenge for record-holding state swimmer Poulin, who is a member of the Gloersville High School swim team.
Some of her fellow teammates will join her on the swim for support and safety. Her family will keep watch on boats alongside the swimmers, and the athletes will begin at 6am to avoid most boat traffic.
Poulin has set a goal of raising $1,000 for her swim. She has been writing letters to local businesses asking for donations, and has set up a link on the Autism Speaks website.
For more information on the swim and how to donate, email swimforautism@gmail.com
From a very personal standpoint, I would like to commend and thank Ms. Poulin’s for her efforts.
How do you feel about this young woman’s aspirations to give help? Are there more good deeds and fundraising events we should know about? Please share with us!
