Swim-A-Thon to Benefit Elizabeth Freeman Center

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The 'Swim Chicks' came up with the Swim-A-Thon, which will benefit the Elizabeth Freeman Center.

LENOX, Mass. — The Annie Selke Companies and the Spa at Cranwell are sponsoring a Swim-A-Thon event from April 1 through 20, during which participants can raise pledges based on the distances they swim, walk or jog in the water to benefit the Elizabeth Freeman Center.

The program will end with a one-day Swim-A-Thon at the Spa at Cranwell on Saturday, April 20, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The idea was inspired by the "Swim Chicks," a group of regular senior non-swimmers who were taking instruction at the spa's indoor pool. Encouraged by Shannon Lasorsa, Cranwell's fitness supervisor who coached them in twice-weekly swim classes, they logged in their own laps and as a group swam 7,172 lengths or 81 miles since October 2012.
 
They imagined connecting their momentum and success to community needs through assisting the efforts of the Elizabeth Freeman Center, a 24-hour, daily community resource addressing domestic and sexual violence in Berkshire County. Their enthusiasm became contagious and the Swim-A-Thon was born.
 
There will be many prizes for various pledge levels including six-month Cranwell Fitness Passports and two $500 Gift Certificate to The Annie Selke Companies, who will also match up to $2,500 of the funds raised. The registration fee is $10 and participants can sign-up at the Spa Desk at Cranwell daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. For more information, call the Spa at Cranwell at 413-881-0721 or Shannon Lasorsa at 413-881-0732.

Tags: benefit,   elizabeth freeman center,   fundraiser,   

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Monument Mountain Scholarships & Awards for 2026

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — The following awards and scholarships were awarded to the Monument Mountain Regional High School class of 2026 on Thursday, June 4.

Joseph & Dolores Aberdale Memorial Scholarship: Caroline Becker Adams Community Bank Scholarships: Juan Cambi, Harmony Estrada
Murphy Leary American Legion Post 298 Scholarships: Estelle Baden, Kathryn Barquinero, Caroline Becker, Edward Castille, Lotus Cohen, Mabel Cooney, Reese Duchesne, Griffin Touponce
Robert Annelli Family Scholarships: Cole Kennedy, Logan Pease Austen Riggs/Erikson Institute Evelyn Stefansson Nef Scholarship: Eleanor Konrad
Jeffrey Baer Memorial Scholarships: Donimic Calautti, Griffin Touponce, Tyler Campbell
Michelle Banach Memorial Scholarship: Sadie Suters
William Bannon Memorial Scholarship: Luna Reynolds
Edward Barrett Jr. Memorial Scholarship: Harvey Ehrbar
Becket Scholarship: Lily Davis
Berkshire Hills Education Association Future Educator Scholarships: Remi Perreault, Brooke Decker
The Shannon McAllister Brownson 'Good Life' Scholarships: Mason Buffoni, Tyler Campbell, Oliver Curtis
Caligari Family Scholarship: Kestrel Duke
Chang Chavkin Scholarships: Gianna Beacco, Ember Raifstanger, Jonah Salzmann
CIAO Soccer Hall of Fame Scholarships: Owen Heck, Mabel Cooney
Rosalie Conte Scholarships: Ember Raifstanger, Estelle Baden, Kestrel Duke, Liam Smith, Sadie Honig-Briggs, Luka Kononenko, Francesca Stanmeyer
Community Television of the Southern Berkshires Scholarship: Ember Raifstanger
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