Joy Jarvis raises almost $5,000 in her eighth annual Swim for Hospice

For the eighth year, Joy Jarvis has completed a long-distance swim in support of Hospice Huntsville and says anyone with a dream should just go for it, like she did.

“I started the swim to help an organization close to home. When I heard about Hospice Huntsville I spoke with Dr. Deb Harrold and mentioned to her that I was wanting to fundraise for them by swimming one of the lakes in the area,” she said. “I watched Hospice Huntsville being built and I am amazed at how the swim has grown. I continue my swim each year to help Hospice Huntsville—an organization near and dear to my heart and to fulfill my dream as well. My swims have been dreams of mine and I am grateful that I have the opportunity to do so. To anyone who has a goal or dream in mind, don’t let it pass you by—go for it!”

Jarvis jumped into the warm Muskoka River at just after 7:00 a.m. on Sunday, July 21 to begin her 12-kilometre swim. She made her way into Lake Vernon where the breeze picked up, sending waves crashing against her body. Jarvis said it was “brutal” going around Centreview Island, the waves making it harder for her to stroke.

Joy’s support boat leads her up the Muskoka River

Jarvis knew that a handful of people were going to join her on the swim back to the docks at Boston Pizza, but seeing more than 20 swimmers surrounding her in the water in support brought tears to her eyes.

Spectators, volunteers, friends and family were on the docks to cheer the swimmers’ final strokes.

Volunteers and supporters cheer Joy on

Joy with some of the people who joined her for part of her swim

Jarvis arrived at the dock just shy of five hours after she began. She was happy to have another swim under her belt, er, swim cap.

Joy gets a post-swim smooch from her husband BIll

A long-time supporter and donor of Hospice Huntsville, who wants to remain anonymous, offered to match whatever Jarvis raised. The total raised this year, including matching funds, was $4,855.

The event format changed this year as Hospice Huntsville is in need of more volunteers to run such events. Instead of inviting community members to raise pledges and participate in the swim with Jarvis, Hospice challenged people to ‘Create Your Own Swim’ this summer, raising both awareness and funds by swimming anywhere they feel comfortable: in a pool, a lake, a river or an ocean. Registration and instructions for creating your own personalized fundraiser are available at hospicehuntsville.com. Swims must be completed by September 3, 2019.

A new event, Poolapalooza, will take place in the fall at the Canada Summit Centre. Stay tuned for details!

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