The swim team will host the "Swim for the Philippines" as a five-hour event on Wednesday, Nov. 27, at the Westport Weston Family Y. The group will raise money for the Westport-based Save the Children’s Typhoon Haiyan relief fund.

Swimmers who are 8 and under will swim as many laps as they can in 30 minutes and swimmers who are 9 and over will push themselves to see how many laps they can swim in 60 minutes.

"This Thanksgiving we want to do more than feel fortunate; we want to help the millions of children who are at risk in the Philippines," said a press release. "That is why the Family Y will spend Wednesday, November 27 (the day before Thanksgiving), raising money for Save the Children’s relief efforts."

Last year, the team had no place to practice and no place to host swim meets as the Family Y was closed while electricians, mechanics and technicians worked to repair the damage caused by Superstorm Sandy.

Residents can learn more about the "Swim for the Philippines" at the Westport Weston Family Y website. The Water Rats Parents Club has also created a webpage on Crowdrise, a fundraising site for charity. 

In 2005, the team held a swim for Asian Tsunami relief, raising $19,000. And in 2010, the Water Rats and Staples Swimming held a Swim for Haiti, raising $45,000.

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