BIG HEARTS, BIG MONEY, BIG FISH!
Local philanthropists with big hearts and big sport fishing boats headed out to improve the quality of life of others by participating in the HMY Winner’s Circle Charity Invitational hosted by, Philadelphia Phillies Hall of Fame third baseman, Mike Schmidt. Entry fees, part of which are tax deductable ranged from $3,000 - $25,000, for honorary chair, for four anglers, and also received four tickets to the annual Rock-n-Reel Gala held at the Admiral’s Cove Country Club. Several of local Jupiter area residents are participating in the fishing tournament. The invitational fishing tournament is scheduled for May 16 through May 19, 2012 at the Bimini Bay Resort and Marina in Bimini, Bahamas. Bimini Bay resort is located on the north end of Bimini just 48 nautical miles off the coast of South Florida.
Now in 13th year, the tournament has raised over $1.5 million dollars for Cystic Fibrosis, in memory of the Baseball Hall of Fame member family friend, Brett Weinstein. Schmidt’s interest in Cystic Fibrosis stemmed from the passing of Brett at the age of 20 from CF. Cystic Fibrosis is a recessive genetic disorder that critically affects the lungs. This year the tournament is expanding to include HMY as a co-host and adding Cleveland Clinic of Florida and Marine Industry Education as beneficiaries. The tournament winners will still receive the Brett Weinstein Trophy as in years past.
The Winner’s Circle Grand Champion will be determined by the boat that brings in the heaviest combination of one wahoo, one tuna, and one dolphin. Last year, the winning team was “Peggy Sue” with a combined weight of 134 pounds. It is said that the wahoo is the most difficult fish to catch. Some of the boats registered: Stihl Leader, Ocean Commocean, Intents, Princess Lilly, Bull Run, Waterfront, Fish Hard Gear, Fishing Fool, Four Reel, Going Deep, Adhd, Karyatis, Scooter, Mariner, Mean Machine, Steel Magnolias, and Island in the Sun.
The Rock-n-Reel Gala, held in Admirals Cove, kicked things off with an evening of fun, great music, and delicious food. Silent auction items and live auction items of sports memorabilia, dining packages, technology, jewelry, trips, and more helped to raise funds and awareness to the HMY Winner’s Circle Charities-
The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the Cleveland Clinic of Florida, and the Marine Industry Education Foundation. Cystic Fibrosis disease affects more than 30,000 children and adults in the United States and it was clear many caring people wanted to join in and help. HMY joined forces with Mike Schmidt and the charity has expanded its goodwill and its noble cause.
So many good Samaritans live amongst every day people not asking for accolades, just doing good deeds for the sake of doing good deeds. It’s nice … isn’t it?
For more information about the Mike Schmidt & HMY Yachts Winner's Circle Tournament take a look at the chairities website at WinnersCircleCharities.org.
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