From the Helm
Greg Miarecki
President, Chicago Yacht Club Foundation
August 15, 2022
Welcome to the August edition of the Beacon. In this edition, we’re featuring our new SOS Illinois Sailing Camp, a joint venture between the Foundation and the Chicago Yacht Club Sailing School. New to the Beacon this month is our “Donor Spotlight,” featuring longtime CYC members Peter and Marijane Thornton. I know you will enjoy the features.
This has been a busy month for your Foundation. In addition to launching the SOS Illinois Sailing Camp, the Foundation has been supporting Jackson Park Yacht Club’s Open Horizons program, featured in last month’s edition. As part of our “Lead Her Ship” program, eight young women spent five days on a tall ship in Michigan learning how to sail and lead others. In early August, the Foundation served as the Presenting Sponsor of Chicago Junior Race Week, bringing more than 100 children together from all over Chicagoland to compete in a Chicago-wide kids’ regatta.
Also this month, your Foundation partnered with the Club’s Cruising Sail Fleet to host more than 60 children and foster parents from SOS Illinois for an educational program on the Race to Mackinac followed by a cruise on Lake Michigan. Many thanks to Nan Connolly and the Cruising Sail Fleet for making this happen. Check out the CBS Chicago 2 news segment about the event by clicking here.
Mark your calendar for Thursday, September 1st from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM for our first ever “Foundation Night.” In the Mac Bar, your Foundation will offer complimentary beer, wine, and a scotch tasting. Foundation Board members will be on hand to tell you more about these exciting initiatives and the even more exciting plans we have for 2023. Click here to RSVP for the event on the Club’s website and join us for a drink. Special thanks to fellow Club members Bill and Jude Bloom for underwriting this event.
And of course, we hope you will join all Club members for the Chicago Regatta. The Foundation is one of the three charities benefiting from the Chicago Regatta. This year, the Foundation has committed to using all of the funds it receives from the Regatta to expand community sailing immersion programs like the Open Horizon Program and the SOS Illinois Sailing Camp. Please click here to learn more about the Regatta and sign up.
We appreciate your support and look forward to seeing you at the Club in September. Let’s continue doing big things. Together.
