2008 NHRA

Hospices Receive $1.5 Million from Regattas

February 2008 - The National Hospice Regatta Alliance announced that its 24 member regattas netted $1,516,627 for hospice care in their communities. Over fifty individual non-profit hospices received those funds which ensure medical and support services for patients and families without regard to their ability to pay.

Hospice Cup

Official Artist Selected for Hospice Cup XXVII (Annapolis MD)

February 6, 2008 - Spinnakers flying hues of red, blue and orange invoke a feeling of intense challenge, passion and images of remembrance, as sailboats race for victory through white capped sea powered by the wind. This image, titled, “Victory,” created by Annapolis-based artist, Rita McRoy, has been chosen to represent the 2008 Hospice Cup event. The oil painting was selected among several artwork entries by many talented artists, to serve as the official image of Hospice Cup XXVII, taking place in Annapolis, Maryland, on September 27, 2008.

“This painting was inspired by my passion to create a piece of art that represents not only the strength and drive of sail racing – but also an image to represent the people behind the scenes of hospice care, such as those who help others and the patients we remember,” states artist Rita McRoy. “The title ‘Victory’ was chosen to represent those who assist others to live peacefully, without pain – and helping them make that final transition to victory.”

Read the entire press release: http://hospicecup.org/press.shtml

Announcing 2008 Hospice Regattas National Championship

Nov. 27, 2007 - The 2008 Hospice Regattas National Championship will be held May 9-11, 2008, at Annapolis, Maryland.
Winning skippers representing the 23 hospice regattas held this year will compete for national honors and to promote hospice care. Team skippers will be contacted directly by the championship committee to establish communications and confirm their participation.

For further news as available, check Championship 2008. For preliminary planning, see the web information for last year's championship.

Avow Hospice Regatta (Naples FL) Announces Festivities

February 2, 2008 - Sailors and landlubbers alike are invited to join in the festivities of the fourth annual Avow Hospice Regatta, scheduled for Saturday, February 2, 2008. Proceeds from the event will help support the 25-year-old Avow Hospice – known formerly as Hospice of Naples – which cares for individuals and families affected by a terminal illness.

The competitive sailing race, which draws teams from all over Florida, is a West Florida Performance Handicap Racing Fleet Boat of the Year Regatta.

The race will begin at 10 a.m. in the Gulf of Mexico with spectator viewing near the Naples Pier.  At 4:00 p.m. the fun moves to the Collier Athletic Club for a shore party featuring live music from the band Tripleshot, entertainment by magician Keith Raygor, a seafarer’s buffet, a large silent auction , wine raffle and special drawings.

Read the entire press release: Avow Hospice Regatta

Hospice Regattas: Happy 2008!

Jan. 17, 2008 - Congratulations on a record year in 2007! With almost everyone reporting their 2007 figures on time, net revenue exceeded $1.4 million! Since hospice regattas began, the net grand total to hospices in your communities has been over $11 million. We know that many people worked very hard to make this happen, and every one of you should be very, very proud.

2008 promises to be a great year for hospice regattas:

Twenty-five hospice regattas will sail this year. See the list at http://www.hospiceregattas.org/year_08.shtml where all the dates will be posted as soon as we hear from you.

Avow Hospice Regatta at Naples~Marco Island, Florida, kicks off the sailing year February 2 with its third regatta. Read all about it at http://www.hospiceregattas.org/florida_4.shtml.

Three new regattas are included in the schedule. Two joined us last year -- Holland, Michigan & Raritan Bay, New Jersey. The third is starting this year in Muskegon, Michigan. (We may need to open a branch office for Lake Michigan and Lake Ontario!) We get additional inquiries all the time, so the number will continue to climb as newcomers -- and you -- build on your successes.

The 2008 Hospice Regattas National Championsip will be May 9-11 at Annapolis. An eager championship committee is already working to make the most of our eight years of experience! Announcements for

Looking to move future Championships around. As noted in a recent email to you, we are issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) to many locations nationwide, to identify a new host or hosts for future Championships. If you have a name and address of anyone who may be interested in receiving the RFP, which includes details about what we need, please send it to us at nhra@hospiceregattas.org.

Look for additional news about the Alliance at http://www.hospiceregattas.org and keep up with what your fellow members are doing by checking out their national web pages there.

Happy new year, indeed!