Wildwood Resident to Swim Across Gages Lake for Charity

With the big 4-0 staring her down, Jodi Heller isn't going to let it make her feel bad. 

But she's also not going to celebrate it with a big party. Instead, she's going to swim across Gages Lake.

Yes, you read that right. Heller, who lives just a few blocks from Gages Lake, will swim across the lake Aug. 17—partly to take on a challenge from her husband, but also to raise money for the Northern Illinois Food Bank. 

"It's my alternative to a birthday party," said Heller. "I wanted to do something that was absolutely not focused on me."

Heller said when she and her family first moved to the area from Chicago, she ask her husband if she could have a kayak to use on Gages Lake. 

"He said, 'If you can swim across the lake, you can get a kayak,'" said Heller.
 
When she decided to actually do it, she contacted the Wildwood Park District and got the go-ahead to do her "Crossing for Kids" swim at 9 a.m. Aug. 17.

She is now in the midst of preparing for the swim. She's been swimming in a pool and has worked up to doing a 1.5-mile swim. 

"I think I've got the distance covered," said Heller. Now she just needs to get over her fear of the seaweed.

"Two weeks ago, I wanted to practice in the lake. I got creeped out by the seaweed," said Heller. "I handled the fish fine. But then I swam right into this wall of seaweed. It was creepy."

Though she admits to being nervous, she's determined to make her way across the lake.

"On the 17th, I won't care if I have to walk on water. I am going to do this," said Heller.

For the Kids

Heller said a key element in deciding to swim across the lake was that she not just do this for herself. She remembers the embarrassment of going to the grocery store as a child and having to use food stamps, so she decided to collect money for the Northern Illinois Food Bank. She has collected donations from friends and family members and has already raised nearly $600.

Other people have even gotten involved in the effort. The Indian Princesses made signs that will be displayed the day of the swim, for example. 

If you'd like to donate to Heller's fundraiser, visit the Northern Illinois Food Bank website and include "Crossing for Kids" in the comment section of your donation.