The 26th annual Swimathon was held this year, but with a new twist. On Sept.19, Humanities Instructor Keith Moon, 2019 Lufkin Prize recipient and founder of the annual fundraiser and a Special Olympics Connecticut board member, swam solo across Lake Wononscopomuc and back, a two-mile distance round trip, to raise money for Special Olympics Connecticut. At the same time, Ian Graham '92, a parent of a Special Olympics athlete, made the swim in the chilly shores off Nantucket Island.

The two completed their swims on a picture-perfect fall day: the outside temperature never broke 60 degrees that afternoon and it was breezy.

"But the water is still warm and the sun was out,"  Moon said in an article posted on the Special Olympics Connecticut website. "That's all that really counts when you're swimming!"

"There has never been a tougher year for Special Olympics Connecticut and our organization and athletes desperately need to have something go right for them in 2020. Your sponsorship and donations will be deeply appreciated," he added.

All of the donations raised by Moon and Graham will go to Special Olympics Connecticut and the Northwest CT Special Olympics Swim Team.

"This remains very much a team effort, even in such isolated times, and we were aware of your continued support with every stroke we take across the lake (or the bay) and back," Graham said. 

Donations their Herculean Swimathon effort may be made at https://give.soct.org/swimathon2020. 

Last year's event had a record-breaking 247 swimmers and raised $16,000. To find out more about the event and Special Olympics Connecticut visit soct.org.