Oregon area sailors have long been known to give back by raising funds and awareness for worthy causes through sailing. Among those spearheading these events include sailing organizations such as OWSA (Oregon Women’s Sailing Association) and SYSCO (Small Yacht Sailing Club of Oregon), as well as the racing teams of both Free Bowl of Soup and Mirage, respectively.
June saw SYSCO’s-sponsored beer can race focused on benefiting the Prostate Cancer Foundation for the second year in a row. July took the father-daughter team, Stan Perkins and Kerry Hallyburton, from San Francisco Bay to Hawaii as they double-handed Mirage (Santa Cruz 27, Hood River) during the Pacific Cup Yacht Race in an effort to raise awareness and funds for Remember Nhu, an international nonprofit dedicated to preventing the exploitation of children in the sex trade industry.
Also racing in the 2014 Pac-Cup was the team from Free Bowl of Soup (J105, Portland OR) who, for over a decade, have organized another annual beer can race which is held every August. With the help of many supporters and as their name suggests, their quest raises funds for the Oregon Food Bank. This year, their efforts raised just over $5,100 and 1 barrel of food raised for the Oregon Food Bank – a new record!
This Saturday and Sunday – September 20th and 21st – will see OWSA partner with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) for a charity sailing weekend. This event will bring the sailing community together in the fight against blood cancer, whereby all net proceeds will be given to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Since 2000, OWSA’s annual Set Sail for a Cause has raised approximately $270,000 for local charities fighting cancer. There’s still time to register and participate in this fun event! Come out and share your love of sailing with friends and family, while raising money for a good cause.
For more information and/or the complete schedule of events for this weekend’s Set Sail for a Cause/Leukemia Cup Regatta, go to these links:
