Charles Hayes '17 Recruiting Profile

How I am involved in service in my community and why these efforts are important to me:

For the past four years, I have participated in the annual Swim-a-Long event in Mequon, Wisconsin. The objective of the Swim-a-Long is to help raise money for the local club swim team, Ozaukee Aquatics, and support the International Paralympic Committee. Every spring, a group of swimmers and myself would get together and pledge to swim a certain number of lengths (usually around 100-200 lengths). Supporters of the event could donate for every length we swam. Despite having a major surgery on my knee, I still wanted to participate in last year's fundraiser and helped raise almost $500 in pledges. Last year, the event raised more than $10,000 and was the biggest success yet! Although my family has moved to Sarasota, Florida, I hope to return to Mequon next May and participate in this event again. This event is important to me because I strongly believe in assisting others that are disadvantaged in the pursuit of their goals, while fostering great relationships with them.