The yachting industry, like all businesses, is interested in making money. But sometimes, and a lot more often than many people realize, the focus shifts to raising money for altruistic causes.
Such is the case with the creation of the Marine Industry Cares Foundation. It’s a new non-profit whose goal is to raise awareness and, of course, funds. It came about through the collaboration of a handful of leading figures in the business. Specifically, the directors are:
• Mole Telfer, business development manager of Rob Price Services
• David Reed, publisher of The Triton
• Sabrina Farmer, chief financial officer of IMA Yachts
• Peter Hult, vice president of MHG Insurance Brokers
The first charity that will benefit from the Marine Industry Cares Foundation is KID (Kids in Distress), which focuses on preventing child abuse. Funds will come from the Spin-A-Thon, a stationary-bike marathon, being held on May 6 in Fort Lauderdale. The Spin-A-Thon is actually an annual event that the above-named people, as well as others, have supported and/or organized for the past three years. Since the Spin-A-Thon has raised six-figure sums for KID in each of those years, it was a natural vehicle for the Marine Industry Cares Foundation. This time, the goal is $250,000.
The Marine Industry Cares Foundation representatives are confident that goal can be reached. “The response over the years has been huge and is what led us to form our foundation,” Telfer says. “The Spin-A-Thon is symbolic of what Marine Industry Cares Foundation is all about.” Hult agrees: “We saw great enthusiasm in the marine industry for helping local causes, which provided us with an opportunity to build a bridge between the maritime community and local charities benefitting children and families.”
To sponsor a team or create one during the Spin-A-Thon, visit the Marine Industry Cares Foundation website.
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