We Need You!

Dear Friends -

It's clearly evident that rowing on the Cooper River has become a great success. Recognized as one of the best rowing courses in the nation, many established regattas have re-located to the Cooper River, including the National Championship of the Intercollegiate Rowing Association as well as the New Jersey Scholastic Rowing Championship, which attracts high school teams from NJ, NY, PA, DE, MD, VA and DC. This success will only increase with the completion of the impressive $4.5 million Cooper River Boat House. We are fortunate that the growing numbers of people converging on the area for the regattas have had positive economic outcomes for the Collingswood community.

The sport of rowing has experienced remarkable growth over the past 20 years, particularly among high school students. No doubt you've seen the sleek shells skimming across the river toward the finish line, with the rowers focused intently on their task to move the oars in precise sequence. Rowing demands especially high levels of discipline, teamwork, power, balance, and technique of the high school athletes. Furthermore, it requires assiduous framing, knowledgeable coaching, up-to-date equipment, and committed support from family and friends. The Collingswood team is only in its fourth year of competition and is very new to the sport compared to the many schools with long established rowing programs. Even so, within this short period of time, three of our rowers have been awarded college scholarships because of the rowing abilities they gained through participation on our team. We have been very fortunate to have had the benefit of rowing legend (and Collingswood resident) Vince Szymkowski's generous investment of time and expertise in the Crew Club from its inception. The Crew Club was given inaugural financial assistance with a generous donation from the Collingswood Rotary Club. This allowed our program to invest in the necessary equipment for the girls' and boys' introduction to rowing. Most of our original equipment was pre-used and/or donated. The Club's Board, the Boosters, and the young Team Members themselves have conducted fundraising activities each year to purchase coaching launches, motors, ergometer machines, and other support equipment to start our program. Much of the original equipment has reached the point where it almost, or completely, beyond repair. The boys and girls of the Collingswood rowing team have the ambition and the spirit to win. These young team members train long hours in all kinds of weather to ensure their competitiveness. However, all their hard work and determination will not overcome the disadvantage of substandard or non-existent equipment. We are at the point where it is critical to acquire new and updated equipment. Funds we raise within the Club pay for insurance, race fees, uniforms, and other operating expenses, and is allowing us to purchase one badly needed four-oared shell in good condition. Next year, we will have the new cost of using the Cooper River Boat House. Now, we are beginning a two-year fundraising campaign to properly equip the team, to provide them with the competitive edge they deserve and to further the name of Collingswood Crew Club in the sport of rowing. We respectfully request the assistance of Community Leaders, like you, in this endeavor. Specifically, we are asking for your participation in this campaign to ensure its successful. The Collingswood Crew Club is a not-for-profit organization endorsed by, but not funded by, the Board of Education. The yearly fees are kept at a minimum so that every boy and girl who wants to row can achieve their dream. To give you an understanding of the financial challenges of the Crew Club, an outline of equipment needs and price ranges is attached. Also included, is a proposed outline of donation levels along with the recognition that would be given to donors. As the sport of rowing draws national attention to the Cooper River, it is important that our own Collingswood boys and girls benefit from this tremendous opportunity. Furthermore, a competitive high school Crew Team will significantly add to the vibrant community spirit that continues to grow and benefit our quality of life in Collingswood. There are many ways that you can participate from joining the Campaign Committee, to becoming a donor or sponsor, to volunteering to maintain the boats, to helping with fundraising events. To find out more, please contact Pat Ciervo at 856.858.2200 or email giving@collingswoodcrewclub.com. See you on the Cooper!