Grateful Parents Shares Why Pittsford Crew Rows for Strong Kids
For the past four years, Jill Lennox has held the Row for Strong Kids fundraising event in honor of her son, Andrew, a cancer survivor and former patient of Golisano Children's Hospital at the University of Rochester Medical Center. This year's event is set to take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 9, in the Bon Ton Court at Eastview Mall. During this event,
the Pittsford Crew team will row on stationary machines to raise funds for their team and Golisano Children’s Hospital. Read what Jill had to say about the connection between the team and the hospital:
The relationship between Pittsford Crew and Golisano Children's Hospital is very near and dear to my heart because of the large role it has played in my son Andrew’s life since he battled leukemia eight years ago. He was 16 years old and a varsity rower with Pittsford Crew at the time of his diagnosis. He was told that it was likely he would never be able to row again due to the side effects of his treatment. His love for the sport became his motivation to get well. In the spring of 2005, after two years of treatment, Andrew worked with his doctors and a physical therapist to build his strength so that he could return to row for one more high school season. That spring his boat won a gold medal at the NYS Rowing Championships in Saratoga Springs and his love of the sport was cemented forever. He went on to row for four years at the Division I level at George Washington University, and now gives back to Pittsford Crew as a varsity coach. Our daughter Brooke followed in her brother’s footsteps, rowing for Pittsford Crew throughout high school and like her brother, has embraced a sport that she can participate in for the rest of her life. Our story is just one of many that speak to the impact the sport of rowing has had in enriching the lives of young people in the Rochester area.
As you may know, rowing, and Pittsford Crew in particular, have exploded in popularity over the past decade, and Pittsford led the way for four other local teams that are now thriving in the Rochester area. Founded in 1997, Pittsford Crew serves more that 120 athletes each season and over 200 with its summer "Learn to Row" program. Our Pittsford Indoor Rowing Center is a community asset that is used by area high school teams, colleges and masters groups. As a result of this incredible growth, Pittsford Crew has long outgrown its facilities at Lock 32 on Clover Street. In 2007 I joined the Board of Directors and have been serving as Vice President and Fundraising Chair. While fundraising is difficult in these economic times, it is probably one of the most rewarding volunteer experiences I have had in more than 20 years that I have been doing so in the community. It draws a wonderful, committed group of parents, who devote countless hours to an entirely volunteer-run program. There is no support from the schools or the town, and all of our equipment is provided through our fundraising efforts. "Row for Strong Kids" became the team's spring fundraiser and over the past three years has raised more that $50,000 for the team and our community beneficiary, Golisano Childrens Hospital at URMC. This year we have embarked on a capital campaign to build some additional boat storage and workout space, so that we can continue to serve the youth of our community with the competitive, high quality and safe rowing programs Pittsford Crew is known for.
Our family's story is not unique - Pittsford Crew parents will readily tell you how this organization has positively impacted the lives of their children over the past 13 years, from rowing scholarships and physical fitness, to most importantly, personal growth.
Thank you,
Jill Harter Lennox
For more information about Pittsford Crew or to make a pledge, contact Jill Lennox at (585) 381-5340 or jlennox@pittsfordcrew.org. Click the following links to find out about recent and upcoming community fundraisers for Golisano Children's Hospital.
