Fundraisers Dive Into the Action at 37th Annual Carl Oake Rotary Swim

Big splashes were made that the 37th annual Carl Oake Rotary Swim as 19 teams hit the pool lanes to raise a goal of $50,000 for rotary projects at the YMCA Central East on Friday morning.

Renee Oake (left) with her son Oscar Weinstein (right) after swimming 150 laps in the lane pool. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

This event has fundraised over $1.32 million for Easter Seals and Rotary Projects in the area.

The funds raised will go towards rotary projects such as Easter Seals, Camp Merrywood, equipment for Easter Seals families for home renovation, Camp Kawartha, Breakfast for Kids program, The Rotary Trail and supporting a residential treatment facility. 

Carl Oake started this event 37 years ago. He says he was inspired by the work the Easter Seals did because of his relatives. His mother’s twin sister contracted polio in the 1950s while a cousin of his was born with spina bifida - both physically debilitating diseases.

Vanessa Oake Hogan, event organizer took over running the event her father started and was satisfied that the event has had so much community support over the years.

“I'm very proud that he started it and very proud to have the opportunity to carry it on,” she said. “It's a lot of work but with Rotary's help, we seemed to be able to keep it going so there's a lot of pride.”

The Carl Oake Rotary Swim fundraising page still remains open for donations. A final tally is being made at a later date.

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