Al's Angels and the Westport Weston Family Y Team Up to Host 24-Hour Swim Marathon

WESTPORT, Conn., March 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Al's Angels, a non-profit charitable organization founded by Westport, CT resident and Zeta Interactive CEO Al DiGuido, is joining forces with the Westport Weston Family Y to launch the first annual 24 Hours of Laps Swim Marathon.

The event, which is open to swimmers of all ages, will take place at the Family Y's Stauffer Pool beginning at 10 AM on Saturday, April 30, and will continue for 24 consecutive hours, ending at 10 AM on Sunday, May 1.  All proceeds will be used to provide holiday meals and gifts for children and families within the Tri-State area suffering from life-threatening illnesses, cancer, rare blood diseases and severe financial hardship.

"The Westport Weston Family Y is delighted to host this exciting event and help support such a worthy cause," said Rob Reeves, Family Y CEO. "It was wonderful to see all of Al DiGuido's "angels" in action this past fall, as our Family Y staff and volunteers joined in helping gather and stuff bins of food for hundreds of families in need last Thanksgiving. We know that same level of energy and commitment will help make the Swim Marathon a great success, and hope that this event becomes the first of many."

The objective of every swimmer participating in the marathon is to swim as many laps as he or she can during the assigned 30-minute time slot. Registrants will solicit family, friends, classmates and colleagues to sponsor their swim by pledging $1, $5, $10 or more per lap being swum. The pledges a swimmer solicits, coupled with total number of laps completed, will add up to a great donation for Al's Angels and the causes it supports.

Al's Angels hopes to raise more than $75,000 at this event, with 100 percent of proceeds going directly to supporting Al's Angels efforts in 2011 to provide over 2,500 families and 5,000 children with holiday meals and gifts during the holiday season.

With limited lanes and time slots available, interested swimmers are encouraged to register ASAP at www.24HoursofLaps.com  for their 30-minute slot.  Swimmers will be treated to healthy snacks, refreshments and poolside entertainment throughout the marathon. There is ample room for spectators to join in the fun by cheering on their swimmers.

Full information on the 24 Hours of Laps can be found at www.24hoursoflaps.com

• When – Beginning 10 AM Saturday, April 30, ending 10 AM Sunday May  1
• Where – Westport Weston Family Y – 59 Post Road East , Westport , CT; 203-226-8981; www.westporty.org
• Donations – Swimmers are requested to raise a minimum of $200 per 30-minute time slot
• Registration – Limited time slots and lanes available – Sign up www.24Hoursoflaps.com
• Sponsorships Available – See www.24Hoursoflaps.com for further details

24 Hours of Laps is the third in a series of successful "24 Hours" fundraising efforts.  Al's Angels launched these efforts last October with the very successful "24 Hours of Hope" Fitness fundraiser, which raised more than $100,000 at the Edge Fitness Club in Norwalk, CT.  "24 Hours of Strikes," a bowling marathon, will be held at Lucky Strikes Lanes in New York City and also is expected to be a tremendous success.

Al's Angels' 2010 Holiday Outreach provided more than 2,000 families in the Tri-State area with meals for Thanksgiving, Hanukkah and Christmas celebrations. Santa and Frosty visited 12 different venues in the region and distributed nearly 5,000 gifts to children and families battling cancer, rare blood diseases and severe financial hardship (photos of the outreach efforts are available upon request). The Angels continue to work closely with a quality network of partners on many of their initiatives, including Tomorrows Children's Fund, St. Barnabas Hospital, Union Community Health Center, CLASP Homes, Mercy Learning Center, Columbia Presbyterian, Saint Christopher Ottille and others.

The work of Al's Angels continues to draw tremendous attention and support in the Tri-State area. The group currently has over 1,000 members who take an active part in the fundraising, meal assembly, gift wrapping and delivery.  The organization holds a series of fundraisers throughout the year to provide it with the necessary funds to continue to expand its work reaching those who are suffering "under the radar," as founder Al DiGuido often reminds donors.

Every lap does count at 24 Hours of Laps. For more information on Al's Angels 24 Hours of Laps Swim Marathon and the work done by the organization to provide support to those in need, please visit the Al's Angels website; www.alsangels.org  or www.24hoursoflaps.com. Swimmers interested in participating can also contact Ellen Johnston, the Family Y's Senior Swim Coach for more information; 203-226-8981, ext. 110 or [email protected].

Johnston, who coaches the Family Y's Water Rats senior swim team, says her swimmers can't wait to hit the water Apr. 30-May 1. With a roster of more than 200 children, the Family Y's competitive swimmers comprise one of the largest swim teams in New England. "Look for our Water Rats to go the extra lap during the marathon," says Johnston. "And we hope every lane is filled every minute of the way with equally inspired swimmers in support of Al's Angels and the great work they do."

About Al's Angels

Al's Angels was founded by Westport, CT resident Al DiGuido in 2004 as a non-profit, charitable organization whose mission is to provide assistance to children and families suffering hardship due to life-threatening illnesses or poverty.  Al's Angels not only distributes meals and gifts for needy families, but also sponsors fundraising events and activities for affiliated churches and social service groups, provides them with fundraising support and works to encourage greater public giving.

About the Westport Weston Family Y

The Westport Weston Family Y strengthens the foundations of community by developing and nurturing the potential of every child, promoting healthy living and fostering a sense of social responsibility.  The Family Y emphasizes the values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility in its programs and services. An affiliate of the Y of the USA, the Westport Weston Family Y is governed by two boards comprised of community volunteers. As a private non-profit serving a public purpose, the Westport Weston Family Y endeavors to provide financial assistance to those who qualify. For more information, contact Scott Smith, Communications Director, at 203-226-8981, ext. 112 or email [email protected].

SOURCE Al's Angels