The Women’s Swimming and Diving team participated in a charitable 5k walk this past Saturday in an effort to raise money for the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
The seventh annual NAMIWalk took place at Waterfront Park and hosted a number of teamswalking to raise both money and awareness for an issue that afflicts over 60 million Americans a year, according to NAMI’s website.
“We certainly hope that the funds we raise can help NAMI of Vermont with their goals of building better lives for those affected by mental illness,” associate head coach Jen Fenton-Cournoyer said.
Fenton-Cournouyer noted that the team had reached its target goal of $2,500 days before the event took place. Their final donations totaled over $3,000.
This was the inaugural year for the team’s involvement with NAMI. From the team’s donation page to their statements on the walk, the team’s goal is clear: to keep mental illness from becoming an ‘invisible disability.’
“We hope to bring more awareness to mental illness and how it does affect everyone somehow,” senior Taylor Slone said. “Even though people cannot see mental illness, it is pool.”
The team opens its season Oct. 4 with an away meet against Army. The Cats come home for the first time this season Nov. 2 when theyhost New Hampshire.