For the second year in a row, Ali W. '27 hosted “Turning the Tide,” a swim-a-thon that raises funds to support Asphalt Green’s community water safety initiatives and skills development programs, both of which create pathways to swim instruction for individuals and families facing financial hardships. Participating swimmers included students from every Nightingale division, as well as parents, alumnae, members of the Nightingale professional community, U.S. Olympic gold medalist Conor Dwyer, PDR swim team members, and collegiate swim champion, Trevor Freeland. 

With 65 participants and 543 individual donations, swimmers raised over $75,000—including one swimmer who completed more than 300 laps and raised over $7,000.

“The swim-a-thon was an incredible testament to the power of community! So many different groups came together to participate in the event…I was really overcome with appreciation and gratitude for everyone who jumped in the water and fundraised to help New York City kids have access to learn such a fundamental skill. I think that the number of donations we received also speaks to the community spirit inherent in an event like this; we received 543 individual donations ranging in amounts from $5 to $2,500! When we come together, we really are more powerful than when we act alone,” Ali said. 

Ali noted the event was particularly special to her as the team was able to dedicate Nightingale’s participation in the swim-a-thon to the memory of Coach Brendan Fee, the longtime Nightingale swim coach.

“I never had the opportunity to meet Coach Fee, but through this event I heard a number of stories about what a special person and coach he was. It was so meaningful that his brother swam in the event and I hope we can incorporate more of Coach Fee’s legacy into the event in the coming years.”