Monthly Archives: November 2009

Naples, Florida – Avow Hospice Regatta January 30th, 2010

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Winds of Hospice Challenge

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November is National Hospice Month, which the Gulf Coast Sailing Club is proud to honor. The GCSC has been loyal supporters of the Avow Hospice Regatta since its inception six years ago. Our sailors participate both as racers and as fundraisers for Avow, the nonprofit hospice that serves Collier County.

This year’s Avow regatta’s race chair is Jerry Watkins, who is also a GCSC member.

The regatta is scheduled for January 30, 2010, and promises to be the most exciting one yet with boat entries from all over Southwest Florida.

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One of the highlights of the Avow Hospice Regatta and Shore Party is the awarding of the ‘Winds of Hospice Trophy� for fund raising excellence. This tribute began in memory of Joan R. Day, beloved mother of local sailor Chris Day. The Winds of Hospice perpetual trophy will be awarded to the skipper of the boat that has the most donations pledged in its name; another prize will go to the individual who raises the most money for Avow.

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Avow Hospice is privileged to work with some of our area’s finest people and to experience firsthand the generosity of the local sailing community. The financial support we’ve realized from the Regatta has helped us continue our mission of caring for some of our most vulnerable fellow citizens at the end of life.

We welcome any opportunity for businesses that would like to sponsor this year’s Regatta. We are searching for underwriting, auction and raffle items. All support is needed and appreciated! Please contact Bonnie Dinger directly at 239-649-3686 regarding sponsorship opportunities or for further information we invite you to visit our web site www.avowhospice.org for forms and information.

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On behalf of Avow Hospice and the patients and families they serve, those at the GCSC thank everyone for their participation and support. We also send our best wishes to the staff at Avow and encourage everyone in the sailing community to support those who care for our families, friends and neighbors at life’s end.

We’re looking forward to a great day of racing!

Learn more:http://www.hospiceregattas.org/florida_4.shtml

USVI – ST. CROIX YACHT CLUB HOSPICE REGATTA

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ST. CROIX YACHT CLUB HOSPICE REGATTA: A DIFFERENT EXPERIENCE

“The St. Croix Hospice Regatta is a different experience from the other Caribbean regattas, each of which has its own flavor,� says Regatta Director Julie San Martin. She hopes the Cruzan flavor will appeal to many different kinds of racers during the regatta, February 19-20, 2010, and highlights some of the factors that go into it:

SCIR055 Keelboat racing in Buck Island Channel_J36 Cayennita Grande

The Site. Unique in the Caribbean, the St. Croix Yacht Club is located on six beachfront acres on Teague Bay, a residential neighborhood on St. Croix’s east end. All activities, including Optimist racing, are on the beach, as is the clubhouse and 120’ dock. In addition to 32 dock slips, the large mooring field, easily accessed inside a protective reef, can accommodate up to 100 boats. U.S. Customs and Border Patrol attend on Friday, so that arriving visitors can complete their entry and exit documentation along with their regatta check-in conveniently. The Optimist sailors have their own clubhouse area in the event tent, as well as games on the beach and volleyball court.

Regatta0055 Opti Racing in Teague Bay

The Sailing. Just about all sailing vessels are welcome at this regatta, from hi-tech racing machine to heavy-displacement cruiser, beach cat to live-aboard multihull, 19-foot keelboat to Optimist dinghy. Teague Bay, the Buck Island Channel and the vast Caribbean provide perfect venues for one-design racing, windward-leeward courses, and mid-distance racing, as well. The Race Committee endeavors to give a start to any class that requests it.

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The Volunteers. The entire Yacht Club membership is involved in the regatta, either staffing the various committees or providing housing for visiting officials and many visiting Optimist sailors. This is our annual opportunity to host sailors from other islands, and we turn out for it. The visiting officials are also volunteers, and many have donated their time for decades. On-site first aid and hand-holding is provided daily by volunteers from the local hospice and medical communities.

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The Activities. On shore, adults mix it up with the 8- to 16-year old sailors. During the racing, non-racers’ favorite activity is liming on the beach while watching the Optimists and the one designs go around the buoys. Tasty food and refreshing beverages from the Club caterer are available from dawn to dusk, and breakfast is free for competitors on Saturday and Sunday.

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In the interest of getting them back on the water promptly, midday meal service is provided to the younger generation as part of the Opti entry fee. The rest of the time, they mix freely with the other competitors and Club volunteers, giving the event the feel of a family outing.

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On-site entertainment happens nightly, and the all-volunteer hospitality staff can recommend local restaurants and arrange transportation for those who would like to see a bit of our lovely, off-the-beaten-track island. Wild parties? You’re as likely to see a 5-year old on the dance floor as a 20-, 40-, or 60-something.

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Optimist prize-giving is first, featuring the winner on the giant scale for his or her weight in sports drink. Adults are encouraged to participate: the kids are high energy, full of surprises, and it’s a great opportunity to recruit crew from the up-and-coming. Later, the adult awards are presented, and the CSA Spin-1 winner gets his/her weight in Cruzan Rum.

SCIR151 Winning skipper gets weight in Cruzan Rum

“Our goal is family sailing and family attendance in an atmosphere of a community get-together,� says San Martin. “The Club volunteers attempt to welcome each competitor as if the regatta was held just for them. Extending the hospitality of St. Croix to visiting yachtsmen is part of our charter, and we take it seriously!�

IMG_5831 Buck Island Channel Start

Visit our website, www.stcroixregatta.com. Check out 2009 regatta photos and results; find information about the island, hospice, volunteering and sponsorship opportunities; then register to race – it’s free (entry fees aren’t due until check-in) – and isn’t that different!

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More regatta info:
The St. Croix Yacht Club Hospice Regatta will be held February 19-21, 2010. Inspired by Competition ~ Enhanced with Compassion, the organizers aim to raise funds and awareness for hospice on St. Croix. Continuum Care, Inc. is a Medicare-certified USVI company providing hospice care in the U. S. Virgin Islands. Fiscal non-profit sponsorship, provided by the St. Croix Foundation, offers donors 501(C)(3) tax deductible sponsorship options at several levels.

The competition promises to be inspiring, with one-design and dinghy racing in Teague Bay and CSA handicap racing in the Buck Island Channel. Cruisers, live-aboards, and heavy displacement vessels with Simplified CSA ratings (to comprehend cubic feet of onboard refrigeration, drinkable canned goods and wine cellars) are invited for Hospice Class racing along the beautiful north shore of St. Croix.

For more information on the regatta, hospice, St. Croix, and sponsorship opportunities, see www.stcroixregatta.com, or contact Julie San Martin, Regatta Director, T-(1)340-690-9040, E-stcroixyc@gmail.com.

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Read More: http://www.hospiceregattas.org/st_croix.shtml

SC – Lake Hartwell, WCSC Hospice Regatta

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October 16 – 18, 2009 – The 2009 Hospice Regatta is over and once again WCSC hosted a great event. Everyone came thru, the Sponsors, The membership and of course the competitors who signed up in ‘almost’ record numbers. We had 81 boats attend the event this year and Co-Chairs Ronnie Ashmore and John Kreidler were ecstatic with the turn out.

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Western Carolina Sailing Club should be proud. Commodore Dan Marett and his team had the grounds and club house in excellent shape for over 350 attendees from who came from as far away as South Dakota. Raffle sales, meal tickets and T-shirts were selling at record numbers. All told, over $31,000 was donated to Hospice of the Upstate.

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On the race course, WCSC showed some moxie and was well represented. Overall winner was Marc Bailey on ‘Screaming Mimi’. Marc qualified for the Championship draw by winning the PHRF C Distance course. He is fired up about representing WCSC at the National event in Rochester, New York in 2010.

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Other club members who did well were Tommy Craft on ‘Puff’ who won the PHRF D class, Justin Hull on ‘Madeleine’ who won the Buccaneer 18 class, Roger Welte on ‘Winsome Too’ who won the PHRF A class and John Kreidler on ‘Rocket Pig’ winner of the Flying Scot class.

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Other members to pick up hardware where Wayne Cheser on ‘Roadkill’ who placed 3rd in PHRF C, Ryan Harder on ‘Lucky Lindy’ who placed 3d in PHRF D, David Foland on ‘Blind Date’ who was 2nd in PHRF A and Scott Lawrence, 3rd  on ‘Blue Jay’ in PHRF A, Steve Kiemele on ‘Artful Dodger 2nd in the Buccaneer class and Patrick Hopp 3rd in the Buccaneer class.

Read more: http://www.hospiceregattas.org/south_carolina.shtml

NY-Sackets Harbor, 16th Annual HOSPICE CHARITY CUP

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July31–August1,2009 Sackets Harbor,NY

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The 16th Annual Hospice Charity Cup, resulted in a net profit of over $40,000, announced Linda Sharlow, Executive Director of the Hospice Foundation of Jefferson County. 100% of the proceeds from the fundraiser go toward the Foundation’s mission of providing financial assistance for Hospice of Jefferson County and their mission of providing care for individuals and their families, experiencing a life limiting illness.

The weekend began on Friday July31st with a dinner and silent auction at the Crescent Yacht Clubin Chaumont.

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Saturday’s events held in Sackets Harbor included: Sailor registration,Charity Cup Races,Shore party, live entertainment, and Awards presentations.

The “Hospice Hustle� walk-a-thon took place on August 15th in Henderson Harbor; chairperson Penny McCrae exceeded her goal by raising over $10,000.

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The tube race event returned after a two year hiatus. Tim Scee stepped forward to chair the event, netting $1,500. He and his committee are enthusiastically planning a more fruitful event in 2010.

22 boats again sailed in this year’s Regatta, with the overall Championship going to Dan Machold and second place to John Jones. Because Dan Machold also qualified in Oswego and will be representing Oswego, Jack Jones and his crew will represent Hospice of Jefferson County and the Henderson Harbor Yacht Club in the National Hospice Regatta Championships, in Rochester, NY next June.

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Direct community contact and education about Hospice and its mission remain a very important objective of this annual event.

Read more: http://www.hospiceregattas.org/ny1.shtml

MI-St. Joseph, 6th annual Dr. Lory Schults Memorial Lady Skipper Regatta

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November 4, 2009

“Thank you for giving me Lory’s Place…� These few words say it all.  Your generosity to the sixth annual Dr. Lory Schults Memorial Lady Skipper Regatta makes it possible for children and adults who are in the midst of chaos and stormy weather to have a safe place until the waters calm. This year we reflected on the generosity of our community and the loving hand it has offered thousands of participants since our opening in November of 2004.  Your support to our event helped us raise over $100,000 to continue providing services for grieving children and their families.

On August 22, for the first time in six years, the weather was unsafe for our Lady Skippers. We postponed the sailing aspect of our event until October 3, when it will be combined with the annual St. Joseph River Yacht Club Chili Regatta. We hope that you will consider joining us at the Yacht Club on that date to set sail with the Lady Skippers in a morning sail followed by the men serving up delicious chili for all.

Our evening dinner and auction continued as planned with 270 friends and supporters coming together with giving hearts.  The program and spirited auction overflowed with love, compassion, and giving for the children and families touched by Lory’s Place.

Thank you for contributing to the extraordinary success of our sixth annual Dr. Lory Schults Memorial Lady Skipper Regatta. We hope that you reflect on the gift that you have provided to those working through grief at a time when they most need it.  Our program year has begun and hundreds of children and their families from Allegan, Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties in Michigan, as well as from Elkhart and South Bend in Indiana, are taking the courageous step of accessing the bereavement resource services of Lory’s Place – at no charge.  New this year is a Suicide Loss group for adults who have felt the pain of losing someone to suicide.

We couldn’t do this without you. On behalf of the Board of Directors, staff, volunteers, and families at Lory’s Place, we express our gratitude for your support. As always, please contact me if you have any questions or comments related to our event, Lory’s Place, or your support. We hope that you will join us for next year’s event – until then, have a wonderful fall!

Gratefully,

Lisa Bartoszek
Director of Lory’s Place and Hospice at Home Bereavement Services

Read more: http://www.hospiceregattas.org/mi.shtml