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Villanova Magazine - Winter 2004 Edition
  A day of difference
Eileen M. Rafferty ‘06

On Oct. 4, four staff members from the Office of Financial Assistance rowed in the 2nd Annual Dragon Boat Festival, raising money for the Fox Chase Cancer Center. “Initially we had just hoped to finish the race but the spirit of the festival was contagious and the purpose of fundraising became a mission,” said team captain Claire Tatlow.

Tatlow, Lorraine D’Alleva, Patricia McCabe and Melissa Walsh from Financial Assistance joined 16 other rowers to form the “Dragonflies.” Raising almost $9,000, they were the top non-corporate fund-raising team. They also won a gold medal in their racing division and secured first prize in the T-shirt design contest. “What makes the Dragonflies so special is the diversity of this all-women’s team. None of the boat members had ever been in a dragon boat or paddled on the Schuylkill River,” explained Tatlow. “Most of the boat members are working mothers, one is even a grandmother who never expected to be participating in this type of activity.”

The festival took place on the Schuylkill River in Fairmont Park. Eighty-three teams participated. The next festival will be held on Oct. 2, 2004.

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