T-shirt sales net $2,000 for Sussex lifesaving association

The Bethany-Fenwick Area Chamber of Commerce and Fells Point Surf Company recently presented a check for $560 to the Sussex County Lifesaving Association using funds raised from lifeguard T-shirt sales. Fells Point Surf Company sponsored free shirts for guards in attendance at the lifeguard awards ceremony, and additional shirt sales brought the total amount contributed to the SCLA to $2,060.

SCLA President Matt Farlow, alongside his wife Chloe and daughter Ada, received the check on behalf of the guards who will benefit from this donation. Each year, lifeguards in this area look forward to the awards event hosted by the chamber at Big Chill Beach Club. Farlow expressed gratitude for the support of the chamber and local business sponsors to provide continued recognition of the hardworking men and women of the patrols.

More than 300 guards from eight patrols served the beaches, performing over 460 rescues this season through Aug. 15. The Quiet Resorts community members are honored to have these incredible patrols monitoring the beaches, locals and visitors alike.

SCLA guards finished second in the country at the U.S. Lifesaving Association’s National Lifeguard Championships. The SCLA finished first overall in the open division (ages 18-29) and had multiple gold medalists, and other silver and bronze medalists.

Six SCLA lifeguards were sent to to South Padre Island, Texas to compete as part of the U.S. National Team at the International Lifeguard Competition.

Lifeguard shirts are available for $20 at the chamber information center, 36913 Coastal Highway, Fenwick Island. All proceeds from shirt sales will be donated to the SCLA, which has recently been established as a 501c3 nonprofit. SCLA officers include President Matt Farlow, Vice President Patrick Berns, Treasurer Mark Banks, Secretary Ronnie Phillips, and delegates Joe Donnelly, Rich Szvitich and Derek Shockro.