FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 1, 2010

CONTACT:
National Hospice Regatta Alliance – email NHRA@HospiceRegattas.org – Jean Kluttz 703-402-8788 or Bill Northwood 585-704-1052

McLean VA – Noted marine artist Willard Bond has created a new painting to benefit the National Hospice Regatta Alliance (NHRA) and the annual championship of hospice regattas.

The 30 x 36-inch oil painting “Fantasy Regatta� is inspired by photographs taken during the 2009 Hospice Regattas National Championship.  It will be unveiled at the 2010 championship, which is taking place June 3-6 at Rochester NY.

Expressing the artist’s vision of children who sail small dinghies rigged with special commemorative sails, the painting portrays young sailors’ aspirations to compete with the bigger boats seen ahead of the sailors — and in their future.

Each year since 1992, Bond has encouraged hospice regattas in communities around the U.S. to use one of his dynamic sailing images to promote their fundraising events.  The distinctive artwork helps the charity regattas present a noteworthy and consistent image for publicity, t-shirts, and publications.

Proceeds from the sale of the original “Fantasy Regatta� will aid NHRA in supporting the 25 local charity regattas that have raised more than $14 million, to date, for hospices in their communities.

The bright outdoor hospice regattas attract sailors and nonsailors alike.  Sailors, of course, enjoy the racing.  Nonsailors, such as sponsors and donors, may watch the racing from shore or spectator boats.  Everyone then celebrates at a shoreside party.

Hospices provide comfort-focused care to patients with terminal illness, and help their families deal with the challenges of caregiving at the end of life.  Services are provided without regard to ability to pay.  Public fundraising makes that possible, and has the added benefit of making more people aware of what Hospice care offers before a loved one needs it.

Bond is a Fellow Emeritus of the American Society of Marine Artists who is known for “painting the wind.â€�  That makes his art especially appropriate for hospice regattas with their motto that applies equally well to sailboat racing and to hospice care: “We Cannot Direct The Wind, But We Can Adjust The Sails.â€�

More information on Hospice and hospice regattas is available at www.HospiceRegattas.org.

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Higher resolution photo is available for publication.  Email NHRA@HospiceRegattas.org.

About National Hospice Regatta Alliance – NHRA is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) association of hospice regattas that independently raise money and awareness for hospices in their communities. An all-volunteer organization, NHRA helps hospice regattas grow and learn from each other, and it promotes Hospice care nationally.

NHRA members organize an expanding nationwide network of more than two dozen charity regattas, from the East Coast to the West Coast, from the Great Lakes to Florida.

Since the first hospice regatta in 1982, more than 20,000 sailors, sponsors and volunteers have raised over $14 million to help hospices serve terminally ill patients and their families regardless of their insurance coverage or ability to pay.

About the Hospice Regattas National Championship – Held annually since 2000, the national championship is the first sailing championship for charity in the U.S. To help promote the local regattas, the championship offers three days of sailboat racing for one winning skipper and crew from each local regatta.

Most early championships were held in Annapolis, MD, where the original Hospice sailboat race was held in 1982.  More recently, the NHRA board selected the renowned Rochester Yacht Club to host and conduct the event 2009 through 2011.  Another prestigious sailing club will host the championship 2012-2014.  By moving the championship around the country, NHRA expects to increase community awareness of the local regattas and about hospice care.