Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie, Auxiliary ready for ‘Boat for Hope’
The 2nd annual Cape Coral Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie and Auxiliary “Boat for Hope” event will be held on Nov. 14, to raise money for Hope Hospice.
Hope Health Care Services Community Relations Director John Strickling said the facility is grateful to the Fraternal Order of Eagles for presenting such a fun and colorful event again this year in support of Hope Hospice.
“The proceeds from this event will touch many lives in many ways,” he said. “At Hope, we provide our loving care to everyone in need, even if they have no medical coverage at all. The ‘Boat for Hope’ event helps us to continue our important work in Cape Coral and throughout the community.”
The event will begin at 11:30 a.m., as boats start assembling at the Cape Coral Yacht Club Pier. At noon the boats will leave the Yacht Club and travel down the Caloosahatchee to Tarpon Point Marina.
Those who wish to participate in “Boat for Hope” must have a minimum sponsorship of $100 per boat to enter the event.
“The boat owner is not expected to let all his/her sponsors ride on the boat that day,” said Judy Cotter, president of the Cape Coral Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie and Auxiliary and co-chair of “Boat for Hope.”
The event is limited to 30 boats, so all boats have a reserved docking slip at Tarpon Point Marina. Ten of those 30 slips can be used to dock larger boats.
An awards ceremony and celebration will be held at the Nauti Mermaid at Tarpon Point Marina at 2 p.m. The ceremony will feature prizes for the top fund-raisers. Snacks will also be served during the awards ceremony for those in attendance.
Last year, Darlene Boehm, who was the top fund-raiser for the event, received a weekend for two at the Silver Sands Resort on Fort Myers Beach. The other captains who joined the “Boats for Hope” also received a prize or gift certificate for being apart of the event.
Cotter said last year they had 10 boats participate in the event, which raised a total of $5,000 for Hope Hospice.
“Most boaters sailed in memory or support of people who have benefited from hospice care, be it here in Southwest Florida or elsewhere in the country,” she said.
Auxiliary Secretary Phyllis Ryder said last year they had about 200 people welcome in the boats once they entered Tarpon Point Marina.
“It was a fantastic day,” she said. “People worked very hard and Tarpon Point was very hospitable.”
The deadline to register for “Boats for Hope” is Nov. 6. A $50 registration fee is required in order to receive a registration form and a guaranteed boat dock slip. That $50 will be applied to the required $100 minimum donation.
“Individuals, whether they arrive at Tarpon Point by car of boat, can expect to spend a pleasant afternoon in a beautiful setting and share the pride that is exhibited by the boaters and Eagle members,” she said.
The club raised $20,000 from June 2009 to May 2010 to donate to the various charities they assist in the community.
“We enjoy doing it,” Ryder said about hosting fund-raisers for charities. “It is a good feeling to know you are doing that much for the charities.”
For information, call the Eagles at 239-549-8477, Phyllis Ryder at 239-223-9209 or Cheryl Hauck at 239-542-5177.