FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 10, 2015

Asphalt Green’s 20th Annual Big Swim® Meet and Benefit Will Honor Glenwood and Support Free Programs for NYC School Children

– April 25 event with free swim meet for 1,000 NYC kids, Olympic exhibition, soccer with NYCFC’s Claudio Reyna, family-friendly luncheon and more –

– Proceeds support Asphalt Green’s free Community Programs providing sports and fitness to 31,000 New York City school children and seniors –

 

(New York, N.Y.) – On Saturday, April 25, 2015, New York City sports and fitness nonprofit organization Asphalt Green will hold its 20th Annual Big Swim® Meet and Benefit honoring Glenwood. Hosted by NY1 anchor/reporter Roger Clark and featuring soccer star Claudio Reyna, the day-long event will include a free swim meet for 1,000 kids, an Olympic exhibition of diving and synchronized swimming, outdoor sports and activities, and a family-friendly luncheon.

Proceeds from The Big Swim® support Asphalt Green’s free Community Programs and scholarships, which will transform the lives of 31,000 New York City school children and seniors this year through sports and fitness. Many of the kids participating in The Big Swim® Meet learned to swim this year through Waterproofing, a nationally acclaimed Asphalt Green Community Program that has combatted childhood drowning and obesity since 1994 through free swim instruction for 30,000 New York City public school students.

This year, The Big Swim® honors Glenwood, a committed supporter of Asphalt Green since the organization’s inception in 1984. Glenwood has remained actively involved in the community enrichment of Yorkville for over 50 years, through residential development and avid support of local organizations like Asphalt Green.

“The Big Swim celebrates what makes Asphalt Green so special – our sports, fitness, families, and fun – and all while serving the community,” said Maggy Siegel, Executive Director of Asphalt Green. “As we mark The Big Swim’s 20th year, it’s fitting that we honor Glenwood, whose generosity has helped us bring health and wellness to thousands of New Yorkers. Without Glenwood’s vision and dedication, our Yorkville neighborhood would not be the thriving community that it is today. We thank Glenwood and look forward to celebrating with them as over 1,000 kids from all five boroughs take part in our Big Swim activities.”

The Big Swim® Meet is open to all New York City children ages 6-12 and will introduce new swimmers to the thrill of a 25-yard race, complete with starting blocks, a timed finish, and t-shirts and medals for all. Prior to the meet, elite athletes – including Olympic diver Cassidy Krug and Olympic synchronized diver Abby Johnston, a 2012 silver medalist – will perform for the crowd.

New for the event’s 20th year, soccer will be highlighted on Asphalt Green’s turf field with special guest Claudio Reyna, 2012 US Soccer Federation Hall of Fame inductee and Sporting Director at New York City Football Club. Kids will have the opportunity to play soccer with Reyna and Asphalt Green coaches, as well as participate in wall climbing, face painting, and arts and crafts.

As part of The Big Swim®, Asphalt Green will host a family-friendly benefit luncheon to raise funds for Waterproofing and the organization’s other free Community Programs. Guests will enjoy an exclusive opportunity to mingle and take pictures with the Olympians, Claudio Reyna and Roger Clark. They will also have VIP seating for the Olympic exhibition.

The Big Swim® Meet and Benefit will take place at Asphalt Green’s Upper East Side campus, located at 555 East 90th Street.

Parents can register their children to participate in The Big Swim® Meet here. The site also has volunteer information. To purchase tickets for the Big Swim® Benefit, call 212-369-8890 x2232 or email benefit@asphaltgreen.org.

 

20th Annual Big Swim® Meet and Benefit schedule:

11:00 AM – Doors Open

11:30 AM – Olympic Exhibition (Asphalt Green AquaCenter)

12:00 PM – The Big Swim® Meet begins (Asphalt Green AquaCenter)

12:15 PM to 2:00 PM – The Big Swim® Benefit luncheon (Tent)

12:15 PM to 2:00 PM – Soccer, arts and crafts, and more (Asphalt Green Turf Field)

 

20th Annual Big Swim® Meet and Benefit Honorary Committee:

U.S. Senators Kristen E. Gillibrand and Charles Schumer; U.S. Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney; New York State Senators Liz Kruger and Jose Serrano; New York State Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright; Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer; and Council Members Fernando Cabrera, Inez Dickens, Daniel Garodnick, Corey Johnson, Ben Kallos, Mark Levine, Jimmy Van Bramer, and Jumaane Williams.

 

About Asphalt Green

Asphalt Green is a nonprofit organization dedicated to assisting individuals of all ages and backgrounds achieve health through a lifetime of sports and fitness. Community service is at the core of the organization’s origin and the heart of its mission. A city-wide institution, Asphalt Green has two first class campuses: a beautiful 5½-acre Upper East Side campus and a 52,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility in Battery Park City. Asphalt Green will help more than 33,000 public school children be fit this year through free programs in schoolyards, gymnasiums, and pools across New York City. www.asphaltgreen.org