Local Boy Seeks Sponsors for 'Laps For Legs'

Zachary Lipson, 12 of New City, about his upcoming Laps for Legs fundraiser in a letter to the editor. With the date soon approaching, the excitement is building as well.

In his letter, he wrote,

I decided for my mitzvah project that I want to raise money for a rare neuromuscular joint disorder called Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia (HSP).  Do you know that I have this disorder?  

My mom & dad recently explained the name of the problem I have with the lower part of my legs … My doctors said swimming was the best form of exercise for me legs so I have been swimming since I was two years old and I’m really good at it.  It’s so much fun and my legs feel great in the water.  

Lipson decided to do a Swim-A-Thon he’s calling “Laps For Legs” to help raise money to find a cure for HSP.

“I will swim as many laps as I can in two hours, but no more than 100 laps,” he said. New York Sports Club in Garnerville, NY—20 West Ramapo Road, Garnerville—is sponsoring his event on April 21 from 1 p.m. - 3 p.m 

Here are a few ways you can help sponsor him.    

• Sending a one time fixed donation
• Pledging a per lap amount—you name amount per lap “Just so you know, I will probably swim the 100 laps.”
• You and/or your child can ask people to sponsor you and swim along side of him.  They can raise so much more money if you swim with him. Please let his mom know if you or your child will also be swimming laps with him. 

“We would like to thank the following businesses for their support in this exciting fundraising swim-a-thon event to help come closer to finding a cure for HSP,” said his mother, Melissa, who is a guidance counselor at Highview Elementary in Nanuet. “Some businesses have made monetary donations while other's provided gift certificates for the raffle we will be holding. We are so grateful to those who reached out!”

"We would like to give a A big "THANK YOU"  to Darryl at  New York Sports Club for agreeing to host the Swim-A-Thon and running with our ideas."

Other Key Sponsors:

New York Sports Club in Garnerville for hosting this eventActive International, Tye-DyeNamite, DOVine Designs, RocklandBakery, Corner Café, Quick Mart, The Things I Love, Salon FX,Anthony Roberts Jewelry, Sign-A-Rama, Continental Hairstyling,Designer Consigner, Original Designs, The Chocolatier,Strawtown Silver, Suji Steakhouse, Brio’s, Sweet Sue’s, PublikHouse, Linda’s Nail Boutique, Rainbow Nails, Bombay Grille,WALKABOUT, Simone’s Cleaners, Venile, Candlestock, LittleTor Liquors, Cacciatori Pizza, Hair Creations, Mr. Oz Bookstore,Big Daddy’s Liquor, Roccos, Alter Ego Salon, Kumo, 16 Handles,Dusty Rose, Gormet Garden, Carousel Cakes, Pancake Plus,Joseph’s Bakery and Coffee Bar, Visible Changes Hair Salon,Illuminated Baby, Landau Grill, Holiday Haus, Empty Spaces,Braunfotel & Frendel, LLC and Elim’s bagels.

"We also want to thank our family and friends who have showntheir unbelievable support during this entire process!"

“Even though this caused so much difficulty for me, I continue to have a positive attitude and believe in myself as my mom tells me almost every single day," he said. "I understand there are many fundraisers and charities to donate money to but I’m asking for you to please help me come closer to finding a cure fro HSP. You will be doing a great deed and I will be so grateful."

Zachary Lipson, 12—New City

• Please make checks out to the Spastic Paraplegia Foundation” and send to the Lipson’s at 90 Crum Creek Rd, New City, NY 10956
• SPF is a non-profit 501(c)3 ---Tax ID# 04-3594491
• *We will send checks to HSP Foundation* 

To learn more about HSP, please click here.