Teens and youngsters raised more than $2,500 at a swim-a-thon to help people in need.

Two dozen swimmers completed nearly 1,400 laps at the Splash for Cash fundraiser, organized by Taylor Baudry, a senior at Blessed Trinity High School and member of St. Ann Church Life Teen program.

The idea was born after Taylor heard Father Tom Reilly, MS, pastor at St. Ann Church, speak about the challenges faced by the poor and how more people were turning to the parish’s St. Vincent de Paul Society ministry for help.

With the approval of her community’s board of directors and two-and-a-half weeks to get organized, Splash for Cash was held on Aug. 15. All the proceeds went to the parish’s St. Vincent de Paul ministry.

Young people embraced the idea. Kids from the neighborhood, St. Ann Church’s Life Teen, and students from Blessed Trinity, Marist School, Holy Spirit Preparatory School and local high schools contributed to the project. Among the teens swimming and helping were Kurt Hofius, a junior at Marist, Joe Fitzsimmons, a freshman at Riverwood High School, and Camille Okhio, recent graduate of High Spirit Preparatory School. Also helping were Frashier Baudry and Matt Dale, seniors at Holy Spirit Preparatory School, and other students from Blessed Trinity High School, including seniors Carly Stephans and Thomas Cullinan, and freshmen Sarah Fink and Katherine Schlich.

Helping with the fundraiser were Dennis Bega, Marc Perrino and Tom Baudry, CORE members with St. Ann’s Life Teen Program, and Janet Baudry and Regina Kohn with St. Vincent de Paul, St. Ann’s Conference.