More than 140 swim, raise money for Nassau Red Cross

When Francklin Morose fled Port-au-Prince, Haiti, with his 5-year-old daughter in January, he arrived in Baldwin with little more than the clothing on his back.

As the earthquake victim struggled to make a new life for himself and Alexa, who was born in the United States, the Nassau County Red Cross came to their rescue.

"Red Cross was the first organization to help us when we first came here," said Morose, 32, who received money, food and winter clothing from the charity. "I really appreciate it, and that's why I decided to volunteer."

Morose, who just completed his volunteer training on Friday, was one of about 30 volunteers who participated in the 21st annual Swim-a-Cross and Beach Bash BBQ fundraiser Saturday hosted by the Nassau County Red Cross.

More than 140 swimmers crowded the Centre Island Beach and swam the mile race for bragging rights.

Tippi Butler, 33, of Manhattan, took first place. She participated three years ago when she was looking for a charity swim but a shoulder surgery kept her from returning. Now recovered, she swam in honor of a family friend - Sara Guiterman, a former New Orleans resident who passed away from cancer four years ago - and raised $200.

"It was the best time I've ever had," Butler said. "They [the Red Cross] focus as much on local disaster as national and there's something to be said for that."

One swimmer, Harry Davison, 48, of Locust Valley, is the great-grandson of Harry Davison and Kate Trubee Davison, who began the Nassau County chapter of the Red Cross during World War I.

Davison, a first-time swimmer with his brother, Danny, 56, raised $100 for the event, but hopes to raise more before the late August deadline. "That is what Red Cross spirit is all about," Davison said.

The event, which requires a minimum donation of $30 for adults and $15 for children, raised more than $13,000 for local disaster relief in Nassau County, organizers said. Live music, food and games awaited the swimmers after their dip in Oyster Bay Harbor.

Frank Cassano, chief executive of the Nassau County Red Cross, appreciated the public's support of international disasters like Haiti and New Orleans. "But disasters still happen in Nassau County, two to three times a week," he said. "Let all the residents remember that their hometown chapter is there for them."