Taking a fun approach to swimming, the Berkley Girls Swim and Dive team and the Berkley Boys Soccer team held their second-ever charity meet. The meet has quickly become the YOUth Empowerment’s top fundraiser. The boys and girls were mixed together to swim in events. Teams swam against each other for fun, with all proceeds from the event going to the charity Kids Coalition Against Hunger, a non-profit dedicated to fighting food insecurity.
Created and organized by Alex Sims and Maddie Collins, YOUth Empowerment is a club that started last year, with a two-year goal of raising at least 3,500 dollars for the charity Kids Coalition Against Hunger. Sims first connected with the cause after packaging 10,000 meals for kids in need through HOBY (the Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership Program).
Sims says, “It was really fun, so I wanted to bring it back here.” After talking to Miss Julius, YOUth Empowerment was created. Not only do they run this club, but they are also two of the five senior captains on the Berkley Girls Swim and Dive team for the 2025 season. With that in mind, they can combine both their club and their sports into a fun charity that includes a variety of people. Through something fun, they can bring the community together while supporting and raising recognition for an important cause.
Being a captain is no small task. In addition to the obvious, leading the team, maintaining a positive mood, and keeping things in order, a significant amount of work is done behind the scenes. Sims explains, “We have to deal with the food, organize the pantry, do buddies, and think of themes for the meet.” When it comes to organizing the charity meet, that is just another important part of their role. Coordinating with the Boys Varsity Soccer Team meant working around tight practice and game schedules, as well as getting the coaches on board. “Our coach thinks the meet is good because he wants to raise money for something good,” said boys’ soccer captain Owen Danaher. Working together, Collins and Sims took charge of designing the meet structure and making the heats. Through a course of eight events, they incorporated the four strokes: backstroke, butterfly, breaststroke, and freestyle. Athletes from both teams were mixed together to compete in blended heats, promoting team spirit and unity. The meet concluded with a crowd favorite: diving. Participating athletes signed up to compete in fun categories ranging from biggest splash to best Spider-Man pose. Danaher excitedly adds, “My favorite part of the meet is jumping off the diving board into the water!” Participants would dive into the water based on the category, and judges would rate them 1-10. With cheering and laughs, it was a fun, light-hearted way to end the meet.
This year’s event was able to raise 950 dollars. That was 50 more dollars than they raised compared to last year’s event. All of this is bringing them closer to their fundraising goal, but for the club, their values go beyond money. One of the club’s biggest goals is to give the organization’s problem recognition. Sims includes, “it’s important to recognize that people don’t always get food every night.” She adds, “I think it’s very important to spread awareness for that and make our community aware that we can do so much more if we all come together.” With more charities for the club to come, they hope to spread as much awareness as the swim meet accomplishes. Having passion, teamwork, and a cause worth swimming for, Berkley student-athletes are proving that sports can be more than just competition. They can be a platform for real change.
