It started out with both communities responding to one of the largest fires in recent memory.
Photos here: http://lakewoodobserver.com/photoblogs/jim-obryan/rocky-river-fire
One week later, one mile farther West on Hilliard we were at the Rocky River Rec Center for Lakewood/Rocky River Rotary Club's Swim-A-Thon. A benefit with demonstrations, swimming, refreshments, information and a nice big check for Lakewood and Rocky River Fire Departments. The two departments were looking for about $15,000 in equipment to help with both the rehabilitation of injured firefighters, and helping to keep others stay in shape.
Today's Lakewood/Rocky River Rotary Club's Swim-A-Thon got them 33% of the way there. Let's take a look:
Follow links at the bottom for all of our photos.
Tables set up for presentations on the Rotary, The Rec Center, and of course Lakewood and Rocky River Fire Departments.
Lakewood Mayor Meghan George meets event organizer Harlon Radford, as Lakewood Fire Chief Timothy Dunphy looks on.
Lakewood Fire Department brought another one of their amazing boats to the event.
From the back to the front: Lakewood Fire Chief Timothy Dunphy, Lakewood Mayor Meghan George, Firefighter Joe Kappa, Captain Dean, Captain Nypaver, Captain Chaky and Firefighter Dominic Schirripa. Thanks to Lakewood Fire Department for another amazing demonstration, and everything else you do.
Lakewood Mayor Meghan George and Rocky River Mayor Pamela Bobst address the crowd.
Rocky River Fire Chief speaks of how badly this equipment is needed.
Lakewood Fire Chief Timothy Dunphy thanks everyone for thinking of the firefighters, and helping with this.
Presentation of the Lakewood/Rocky River Rotary big check for $5,000. I personally love "big check" presentations, especially for this crew, everyone a hero.
From left to right: Rocky River Mayor Pamela Bobst, Rocky River Fire Chief Aaron Lenart, Lakewood Fire Chief Timothy Dunphy, Lakewood Mayor Meghan George, Lakewood/Rocky River Rotary President Marjorie Corrigan, and Lakewood/Rocky River Rotary Membership Director and Swim-A-Thon event organizer Harlan Radford.
Lakewood/Rocky River Rotary Club President Marjorie Corrigan speaks with Membership Director Harlon Radford, Lakewood Mayor Meghan George and Fire Chief Timothy Dunphy.
Rocky River Mayor Pamela Bobst puts the big thank you hug on Harlan for the big check!
Thank you to the City of Rocky River, and the Lakewood/Rocky River Rotary Club for a great morning, and some good old fashioned community giving!
And of course, thank you to all the members of the Lakewood and Rocky River Fire Departments, you are loved and appreciated!
You can see all the photos from the event at: http://lakewoodobserver.com/photoblogs/jim-obryan/lakewoodrocky-river-rotary-swimathon
Read the original story here: http://lakewoodobserver.com/read/2020/02/18/swimathon-to-benefit-lakewood-rocky-river-firefighters
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