Regular readers of Megayacht News will no doubt be familiar with YachtAid Global (YAG), the nonprofit organization that delivers much-needed school supplies, clothing, and other items to communities worldwide with the assistance of superyacht owners and crew. Among the many yachts that have assisted YAG over the years is the 156-foot (47.5-meter) Slojo. It’s fitting, as the owners of this Delta-built yacht named her in honor of their love of enjoying life’s journey, including all of the related natural and cultural experiences along the way. And what better way to enjoy life than to give back to those in need?
Well, Slojo and YAG have teamed up once again, for the Slojo YAG Challenge. The owners, guests, and crew will embark on an around-the-clock fund raiser while the yacht crosses the Pacific Ocean in December.
In about two weeks, Slojo will leave San Diego, anticipating arriving in Nuku Hiva in the Marquesas, in time for Christmas. During the 2,900-nautical-mile journey, there will be non-stop usage of the yacht’s rowing, biking, and running machines. The owners, guests, and crew are collecting pledges per mile from now through the end of the journey.
The video here, also featured on the Slojo YAG Challenge homepage, shows the crew dressed in crazy, colorful workout clothes. As serious as they are about having a good time, they’re just as serious about raising money for YAG. Indeed, in Capt. Bruno Herregods’ bio under the Meet the Atheletes tab on the website, he expresses his desire for other yachts and crew to participate in future fund raisers.
So how can you help? Click the Donate tab, where various contribution suggestions are outlined—and done so creatively. There’s “A Penny for Your Knots,” which involves donating one U.S. cent per mile, or $29. There’s also “A Nickel for a Mile,” where a donation of five cents per mile equates $145. Topping the list are “A Buck to Beat All Bets,” featuring a $1-per-mile donation, for a total of $2,900; and “Can You Say High Five?” which involves donating $5 per mile, for a $14,500 total.
On a related note, YAG is a 501(c)(3) public charity, meaning donations are tax deductible as a charitable contribution to the fullest extent allowed by law.
UPDATE, DECEMBER 2: Capt. Mark Drewelow, the founder of YAG, contacted me to share the following:
Slojo’s owners, captain and crew are kind enough to open their YAG involvement to media coverage for the world to see. After 4 years of YAG doing things mostly in quiet fashion, this turn is an immeasurable boost to our visibility.
We have spent years carefully planning YAG steps pushing along proper execution. The result is a true and tested working system that is custom built for a specific yacht.
The YAG format as per Slojo goes way beyond owners and crew. The YAG format gives family and friends, vendors, industry insiders and outsiders, owners, friends of owner, etc, a special way to connect to a specific yacht operation.
Truly great ideas come along once in awhile. The YAG format is one of those, just wait and see!
Best regards from San Diego,
Captain Mark Drewelow
Founder
www.iyag.net
Verzekering auto
wow. I never thought about this in that way