Marine Industry “Brakes” for Good Cause

Palm Beach Boat Show

(Image credit to Dan Rakofsky)
CUTLINE

Mole Telfer, Board Chairman, Marine Industry Cares Foundation, and David Reed, Marine Industry Cares Foundation Board of Directors.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – More than 400 spinning enthusiast including marine industry professionals, volunteer riders and Fort Lauderdale Mayor Jack Seiler geared up to raise more than $100,000 to support Kids In Distress of Broward and Palm Beach County (KID). The Spin-A-Thon, now in its third year, has become the signature event for the newly formed Marine Industry Cares Foundation which has pledged to raise $250,000 for Kids In Distress this year.

“The Spin-A-Thon has become a popular event in the last three years, gaining community and marine industry support,” said Claudia McCormick, vice president of marketing and development at Kids In Distress. “We are very grateful that the marine industry has pledged to raise much-needed funds for Kids In Distress through their newly formed foundation and we look forward to putting their hard work to use through our community programs and classes.”

Held at Esplanade Park in downtown Fort Lauderdale, the Spin-A-Thon featured teams alternating riding for 360 consecutive minutes on more than 60 stationary bikes. Each team, like the Young Professionals in Yachting, pledged to raise a minimum of $2,000 to participate in this year’s event.

“YPY always has a great time participating in the Spin-A-Thon. Our team increased its number of riders from past years and exceeded our fundraising goal,” said D.J. Kiernan, president of Young Professionals in Yachting. “Supporting Kids in Distress and the Marine Industry Cares Foundation is a natural for our group of up-and-coming, local marine industry professionals.”

After touring the Wilton Manors campus in 2009, marine industry heavyweights David Reed and Peter Hult pledged their support to Kids In Distress and launched the Spin-A-Thon fundraiser. Three years later the annual event has raised a combined total of nearly $200,000, has become a Winterfest sanctioned event and was the impetus creating the Marine Industry Cares Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting children and families in need.

“The marine industry is dedicated to building a lasting connection with the community, and we were motivated in no small part by our relationship with Kids In Distress,” said David Reed, owner of the Triton Newspaper. “The groundswell of support we have received for the Spin-A-Thon in the last three years shows our strong commitment to Kids In Distress and to the underserved and neglected families in our community. We are excited to reach our goal of $250,000 and look forward to continuing to support of such a valuable organization.”

The event culminated in a networking reception held immediately following the event. Among the sponsor recognized for their commitment and contributions are The Triton Newspaper, International Medical Group, Yacht Chandlers, MHG Insurance Brokers, Brownie’s Yacht Driver, Best Roofing, K&L Gates, RB Regent Bank, Nova Southeastern University and Show Management.