Eggs, Milk, Bread And “Erg-A-Thons” Stonington High School Crew Fundraiser At Local Grocery Stores

On Sunday, May 15, 2011 between the hours of 9:00 AM and 12:00 PM, Stonington High School Crew will be rowing (yes, rowing) at two local grocery stores: Super Stop & Shop in Pawcatuck and  in Mystic. 

With a set up of indoor rowing machines, also known as ergometers or ERGs, each crew member rows a 2K (2,000 meters) in order to fulfill pledges.  Organized by Friends of Stonington Crew (FOSC), past Erg-A-Thons have raised funds critical to maintaining a rowing team at Stonington High School.  

FOSC, a registered 501(c) 3 non-profit organization comprised of parents, alumni and community supporters, provides funding for annual budget needs, including the purchase and maintenance of equipment, transportation to and from meets, food, apparel, coaches’ salaries and insurance.  “If we didn’t have fundraisers like the Erg-A-Thon,” explains FOSC Board President, Greg Wostrel, “the cost of having a rowing team would exceed $500 per student.”

Wostrel also praises the grocery stores hosting the event.  “It’s the support of  local businesses like Stop & Shop and McQuades that has helped the crew team grow from a small club started in 1998 into the full-fledged varsity sport it is today.” 

For a sport that trains and competes on the Mystic River or at regattas far from home, the Erg-a-Thon is one venue where the team is more visible to the community and where team members can connect with area residents.

 Donation buckets at the two locations will be available to anyone wishing to support the Stonington High School Crew Team.  So, along with the usual items, add the Stonington High School Crew Team’s Erg-A-Thon to your weekend grocery list.