January 17, 2024

by Diane Foote

When Tom and Mary Falck first met, neither one was a boater; sailing is a hobby they've developed together. Their first sailboat was a Sunfish, which they purchased in 1988 after Mary spotted at a neighbor's yard sale.

December 15, 2023

by Nick Camino

Happy Holidays and welcome to the December 2023 edition of the Beacon. The Foundation is buzzing with activity as we are working hard to reach our 2023 Annual Appeal goal of $300,000.

December 15, 2023

by Greg Miarecki

This month, we must say goodbye to our friend Peter Barrett, who died on November 27th at the age of 92.

December 15, 2023

by Francesca Sigmond

Just before Thanksgiving, more than 80 people gathered in support of competitive sailing at the Chicago Yacht Club Foundation’s first in-person fundraiser for the Competition Fund.

November 15, 2023

by Nick Camino

Welcome to the November 2023 edition of From the Helm. We had a fantastic turnout at the Meet the Kids night in October which brought together kids who have joined one of the various programs with supporters from the Foundation. We want to thank all our kids for their boundless energy and bravery for standing up and telling their stories. 

November 15, 2023

by Megan McNichols Mahon

Olympic sailors and CYC members Steph Roble and Maggie Shea have some unfinished business to complete in Paris next summer. 

October 11, 2023

by Matt Gallagher

The CYC Foundation supports boating in four ways: introduction to boating; induction to continuing boating education; developing boaters’ skills; and inspiring young boaters to greatness. Today, I want to share with you what we’re doing on the inspiration front. 

October 11, 2023

by Regina Kurkowski

Regina Kurkowski, 17, is a member of Sea Scout Ship 5870, which conducted a five-day cruise for ten Scouts aboard two sailboats, Maris and Reflections, in July 2023. Here is her first-hand account of the adventure.

Day 1: We–ten Sea Scouts from Ship 5870–arrived at Burnham Harbor and loaded the two boats with food and supplies. Then we refueled and pumped out.

October 11, 2023

by Diane Foote

Regular readers of the Beacon know how proud the Foundation is of our programs and partnerships; and you also know we're not shy about it! But you don't have to take our word for it. This month, we are focusing on the voices that truly matter: those of our young program participants. Hear from them in their own words here in this compilation,

September 20, 2023

by Greg Miarecki

Welcome to the September issue of the Beacon! This season has been one for the record books at your Chicago Yacht Club Foundation. Thanks to your support, we have been able to launch five new sailing camps for young people from underrepresented communities.

September 20, 2023

by Megan McNichols

Steering the boat was eight-year-old Ione’s favorite part of sailing while Viviana, 9, liked “riding into the waves because it’s bumpy and so much fun.”

September 20, 2023

by Diane Foote

For Chris Whitford, sailing has always been a family affair. Whitford grew up in Delaware and sailed on the Rehoboth Bay and the Chesapeake Bay with his family, all of whom are lifelong boaters.

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.

August 17, 2023

by Francesca Sigmond

This past year, the Foundation has grown our sailing camp program from one camp in 2022 for SOS Children's Villages to five in 2023!

August 17, 2023

by Diane Foote

The Chicago Regatta is coming up on September 9, and the CYC Foundation is once again one of the three featured charities to benefit from this exciting event.

July 28, 2023

by Greg Miarecki

I’ve been off the grid for a few months of the Beacon, and I hope you’ve enjoyed getting to know some of my colleagues on the Chicago Yacht Club Foundation Board.

July 28, 2023

by Eileen O’Neill

Peter and Marijane Thornton, members of Chicago Yacht Club and long-time Chicago Foundation supporters, generously shared their ketch Whitehawk with the CYC Foundation, sailing her to Monroe Harbor to officially kick off Whitehawk Week on July 12-14, 2023.

July 28, 2023

Congratulations on taking first place, Young Guns! This team from CYC was undefeated in the Corinthian Young Guns Team Race at Seawanhaka Yacht Club on Long Island, NY.

July 28, 2023

Congratulations to the Union League Boys and Girls Clubs Swim School for completing their summer 2023 program!

July 28, 2023

by Diane Foote

This July, nearly 300 young people from across the Chicago area who have not had access to many lakefront opportunities took part in a series of programs aboard the tall ship Inland Seas.