On Thursday, Nov. 17, McNick’s swim team held a “Lap-A-Thon” event that raised around $800 for the Josh Cares Foundation. Sophomores Ashley Dundon and Kristen Rehl, both volunteers on the Josh Cares student advisory board, first started working with the group after Dundon made connections through a babysitting job. The girls came up with the idea as a way to get McNick involved with the organization.
“In the past, I’ve done Lap-A-Thons for my club swim teams, and they’ve been really successful,” Dundon said. “Josh Cares always asks the students on the advisory board to come up with creative fundraising ideas for the holiday season, and I thought a lap-a-thon would be an interesting idea.”
Josh Cares, named after a young boy whose organs were donated to save others after he lost his life in a car accident, is a non-profit organization that provides care and comfort to seriously ill children by giving them companionship when their family members can’t. Known as “Child Life Fellows,” these professionally trained workers give the children love, support, and aid during their extended stays at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. The Josh Cares program works to pay the salaries of these workers.
In order to raise money, swim team members were asked to collect donations and pledges. For every dollar they raised, students earned a paper chain link. These links are displayed at the Sycamore Plaza across from Kenwood Mall. If you are interested in volunteering with Josh Cares, talk to Ashley Dundon or visit the Josh Cares website for more information.
The McNicholas Milestone 