The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) and University of Vermont (UVM) Extension joined hands to paddles to raise funds and awareness for breast cancer treatment at The Lake Champlain Dragon Boat Festival in Burlington, Aug. 5.

Nineteen CALS and UVM Extension folks, spouses and friends paddled the long, festive-faced boats, under the direction of Captain Mike Vayda (CALS) and Drummer Sue Bushey (EXT). Another four alternates were on hand, and seven staffers donated to the cause on behalf of the UVM team. Wearing UVM bill caps, ironically, the paddlers placed second in the "Cap and Gown Cup" race and third in their first heat. They also made the front page of the "Burlington Free Press."

In addition to Vayda and Bushey, participants and supporters were:  CALS: Pat Englert,  Skip Fanus, Lynn Gregory, Karin Haddock,  Russ Hovey, Satomi Kato, Fran Kinghorn, Debbie Paradis, Stephanie Phelps, Julie Smith, Robin Smith, Bonnie Tucker  and Qingbin Wang. UVM Extension: Cindy Corkins, Gary Deziel, Mary Fay, Doug Lantange, Rick LeVitre, Robin Lockerby and Wendy Sorrell, Friends: Roger Albee, Bill Fay, Jeanne Fay, Joel Fay, Terri Gazza, Angie Hill, Linda Seavey, Nadir Sidi and Anne Marie Vayda.

The team called “UVM’s FACE: Food, Agriculture, Community & Environment, “hopes to provide support and pay tribute to our family, friends and colleagues who have been touched by breast cancer,” said Mike Vayda.

The festival exceeded its fundraising goal and purchased an ultrasound machine for Fletcher Allen Health Care’s radiation oncology department. ~Cheryl Dorschner