From the Helm

August 17, 2023

by Nick Camino

Welcome to the August 2023 edition of the Beacon and my first ever From the Helm. Since I am new on these pages, let me take a moment to explain how I got involved with the Foundation. My wife Carrie and I have been CYC members for more than 20 years with a focus on sail racing and enjoying the club. When not racing we enjoy chartering boats to experience new places and have explored anchorages in Turkey, Italy, the Caribbean, and Tonga to name a few. We moved to Libertyville in 2018 after many years in the city and I took a break from sailing after winning the 2018 Mac with the Challenge team. As we settled into suburban life and shed more work constraints, we were both missing sailing and wanted to combine our passions for sailing and giving back.  

So, we decided to jump back into sailing and purchased a Grand Soleil 50 with a focus on cruising, fun, and philanthropy. After doing some work with Greg Miarecki and the Foundation board I jumped at an invitation to join and get closer with the fantastic Foundation programs and now serve as the fundraising chair. I am headed into my second year on the board and have had some very rewarding events with the Foundation on and off the water. We look forward to the SOS Children's Villages sail every year, took some new friends out for PALS sailing, and I helped arrange our first ever Meet the Kids night so donors can learn about their impact directly from the kids. I am also looking forward to the Chicago Regatta on September 9th and have already entered our boat and primed up our spot on the Leaderboard. Did you know the Chicago Regatta helped fund 6 sailing camps this year? We have plans to do so much more in 2024 with 100% of the funds raised from the Chicago Regatta being invested back into community sailing programs. Please read through to the bottom of the Beacon to learn more about joining us at the Chicago Regatta and the other events we have planned in the fall. As Greg would say, “Let’s continue doing big things. Together.”