February 17, 2005

GENEVA, N.Y.—On Jan. 26, 103 members of the Hobart and William Smith Colleges community joined forces to row 1,106,507 meters on indoor rowing machines and raise $28,749. A collaborative effort between the Colleges’ crew teams and the campus chapter of Habitat for Humanity, the crew teams will donate 15 percent of their efforts, about $8000, to Habitat this year through the fundraiser.

The Hobart and William Smith crew teams will present their donation to the campus chapter of Habitat for Humanity during halftime of the Hobart-Vassar basketball game on Feb. 19. Tipoff is scheduled for 4 p.m.

For the third year in a row, the Colleges’ crew teams sponsored this public service fundraiser to assist the campus chapter of Habitat for Humanity and raise money for the crew teams. This year, due to the efforts of William Smith Head Coach Sandra Chu the event has grown, including 17 other schools nationwide in the event.

“Given how generous people were in coming to the aid of the Tsunami victims, I think it is tremendous how much money we raised,” Chu said. “The students obviously have a lot of support out there and it shows in how eager people were to give gifts.”

Whitney Hayre, Jess Wojslaw, Lucinda Keck, Julie Kozarsky, and Gardner Loring participate in the 2005 Row For Humanity.

During the event, each participant rowed for an hour on an indoor rowing machine. In addition to donating 15 percent of their fundraising efforts, the crew teams paid for all of the overhead costs of the event. The members of Habitat for Humanity also row and raise money, keeping 100 percent of every penny raised by their members.

“We’re excited to double Habitat’s earnings by giving the largest one-time donation they receive,” Chu said. “Their dream is to build a house for a deserving family in Geneva. By providing them with their annual operating costs, funding for their spring break trip, and covenant fees, we enable them to set aside a significant amount of money toward their goal.”

It’s not a surprise to Chu that the fundraiser has become popular among other schools across the country.

“Crew has been called the ultimate team sport,” Chu said. “Our students know how much can be accomplished through team work. Crew is also a selfless sport. You essentially row to help the person sitting in front or behind you go faster. You have to give up your ego to make the boat go fast. That is what is at the heart of this event—being able to give up time and money to help someone else realize his or her dreams.”

Over the past three years, HWS has raised over $75,000 and donated more than $20,000 to Habitat. The event was also sponsored by local merchants and rowing vendors. Chu gives special thanks to major sponsor maax, as well as the Book Nook, Clemen Sign, Earthly Possessions, Geneva Bicycle Center, Geneva on the Lake, HWS Central Services, Chapman House Bed and Breakfast, Friendly’s Ice Cream of Geneva, Karizma, Kaschper Boats, Kathleen Kubacki Massage Therapy, Mike Barnard Ford, Pizza Hut of Geneva, Regatta Sport, Rubino’s Italian Submarines, Subway of Geneva, Studio Salon, Valu Home Center of Geneva, and Vespoli USA.

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