TAKE A BREAK: Making Waves in the Fight Against Autism
Local swimmers complete marathon to raise money, awareness
they throw themselves in the water, and up against autism.. And one by one Greenbush thEvery week for the past 4 years, they come to a pool or, on this day, to Snyder's Lake in Nor
"Everybody knows somebody that is dealing with a mental health issue, particularly kids," says Steven Kirk of the NFL Alumni Chapter of Upstate NY. "Stats are 1 in 150 kids are born with autism. A huge number."
Kirk, an avid swimmer, says when they decided to raise money for children's mental health, he suggested a sponsored, 3-day, marathon swim along the Champlain Canal to benefit Four Winds Saratoga and the UAlbany Center for Autism.
This year, he and his 4 teammates will swim from Whitehall on day 1 to Troy on day 3. That's about 75 miles.
"It's pretty major," he says. "We're a little tired right now but not too bad."
The motivation for Kirk though, is personal.
"I know somebody in my family that has been affected by it and helped by Four Winds in particular. Had it not been for Four Winds, I don't know what they would have done."
Jerry Gretzinger and photographer Chris Conti caught up with the team on Monday, July 20th, the 3rd day of their marathon swim, at lock 2 in Mechanicville.
It hadn't all been a smooth sail.
Team member Peggy Phillips of East Schodak says, "We've had a lot of problems this year."
Phillips says the swim has been a logistical nightmare, from finding a guide boat to starting the guide boat. Day 3 was delayed due to a dead battery, but still nothing to dampen their spirits.
"When you think about the families that struggle with mental illness," she says, "it just gets you through what you need to do."
The team will celebrate at the end of their swim at Brown's Brewing Company in Troy, but Steven says since mental health takes no rest neither will they. And by next week...
"We'll be back in the pool practicing for next year. Absolutely."
You can reach Steven Kirk via the links provided or snail mail:
Steven Kirk
NFL Alumni Swim the Canal for Children's Mental Health
9 Thomas Drive
Wynantskill, NY 12198
Checks made payable to: NFL Alumni
Memo line: Swim the Canal for Children's Mental Health
