Here’s a great story about some very generous powerboaters, as reported in full by Speed on the Water. Burl Griswold and the Antelope Point Marina in Page, Ariz., has donated $500,000 in proceeds from the ninth annual Lake Powell Challenge (Sept. 14-17) to the Mountain Valley Chapter of JDRF. JDRF is the leading global organization funding type 1 diabetes (T1D) research. Eighty-two boats turned out for the poker-run event.
“I can’t believe it, I really can’t,” said Griswold, who thought a realistic $350,000 to $400,000 figure, still well beyond last year’s $250,000 mark, was within reach. “The generosity that the boaters here displayed was incredible,” he continued. “I can’t tell you how many of them asked me what they could do to help instead of complaining about the situation. I’ll never forget this year. It went from the nastiest storm I’ve ever seen in the 12 years I’ve been at the lake to the coolest event I’ve ever been a part of.”
The Utah JDRF chapter was invovled in the event.
“We do a lot of fundraisers and I can tell you, the Lake Powell Challenge isn’t a typical fundraising event,” said Mike Somers, executive director of the Mountain Valley Chapter of JDRF, which is located in Salt Lake City, Utah. “These boaters work hard, play hard, have fun and give a bunch of money. It’s been amazing to see the event grow over the last five years I’ve been involved with it.”
The fund-raising effort included the live auction of a custom “header” chair made by Barrett Custom Marine, which was won by Steve Lyman with a bid of $28,000.
“It really is nothing short of fascinating and exciting to see not only the passion these boaters have for their boats and the camaraderie they all share, but to witness the generosity they all share,” continued Somers, who was joined by his staff and 22 other volunteers who assisted with registration and other tasks throughout the week. “This year’s auction was one of the most fantastic live auctions I’ve ever seen. The Lake Powell Challenge is by far the most unique event in our chapter, and I’m guessing it’s one of the more unique events in all of JDRF. We’re just happy to be a part of it and be able to work hand in hand with the team at Antelope Point Marina.”
