Swimmers jump into the canal behind Narrasketuck Yacht Club to begin the two-mile swim to help raise money for the Juvenile Diabetes Society. More than 80 swimmers, ages 7 to 60, took part in the Waves of Hope fund-raiser swim in Amityville last month. Theevent was organized by Christine Swartout of Amityville, a varsity swimmer at St. Anthony’s High School.

“It was a lot of work but it was worth it,” said Chris­tine. “We want to hold this every year.”

The event raised approximately $10,000 for the Ju­venile Diabetes Society. Christine said she decided to do a swim for the charity because her swimming coach at St. Anthony’s has a son with the disease.

“He does a lot of work holding walks and other kinds of fund-raisers to raise money for other chari­ties, so I thought why not have a swim for Juvenile Diabetes?” said Christine.

Chloe Hyland, Katie Pescitelli, Alyssa Rasmussen and Kath­leen McDermott are shown moments before jumping into the water to take part in the Waves of Hope fund-raiser swim in Amityville.She decided to hold it in her hometown of Ami­tyville because she had a built-in support group of friends and families. She also reached out to other swimming teams through the Long Island Aquatic Club and the West Islip High School Swim Club. It took her months to plan, she said. “First we had to take care of the legal requirements by contacting the Village and the Police Department,” said Christine, 15. “They were very helpful.” Members of the Police and Fire Department provided security and backup throughout the swim, as did the Babylon Town Marine Bureau.

Shown below are Dora DeSoasa, Jackie Theal, Maggie Reynolds, Melissa Bischoff, Ashley Jiran and Erica Swartwout. The participants swam for two miles, jumping into the canal at the Narrasketuck Yacht Club in Amityville and heading east to the Amityville Beach where they were met by supporters and a barbecue.