WMBFNews.com | Myrtle Beach/Florence, SC | News, Weather, SportsRowers paddle to raise money for autism

Rowers paddle to raise money for autism

By Jennifer Grove - bio | email

MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WMBF) - The Grand Strand is playing host to a group of young men on a mission Tuesday. Five college friends are rowing through the Myrtle Beach portion of the Intracoastal Waterway on their way to raise money for the Autism Society of America.

"[We're] just trying to get autism awareness out there," rower Larrry Maher told WMBF News. "It's a prevalent disease these days, and we just want people to be aware of just how serious it is. "

Rower Ryan Meyers knows firsthand; he has a younger sister with the disability and hopes to make a difference in research and education through their trip.

The group of college-aged guys launched out of Boca Raton Florida on June 13 and is now more than halfway to their New Jersey destination.

"It's incredible," Jan Myketey said. "It's amazing to me that they took on such an incredible task as this. I mean, their average is 35 miles a day in these small row boats."

Myketey is a special education teacher of 25 years who opened up her home to the boys on their way through Garden City. She says she wanted to do her own part to help the cause by feeding them, knowing how much they would appreciate a home-cooked meal.

Rower Dan McCann says the generosity of people along the way has been overwhelming at times. They say life on the Intracoastal is not always five-star living though. McCann says they have slept on docks, boats, in parks, even under a bridge just to get a few hours rest. After every night's sleep they are up the next morning to row another eight to 10 hours to their next destination.

Despite the physical struggle, they say in the end, every hot and tiring day is worth the pain. They have already raised more than 10,000 dollars for their cause.

To find out more about the group visit www.rocktheboatforautism.org

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