Boaters Give to Charities

The boating community gives generously to multiple charities this time of year. You should be proud!

East Peoria Boat Club hosts the Polar Ice Plunge at their marina on Friday, January 1st. Proceeds benefit local charities.

The annual Penguin Plunge returns on Saturday, January 9th, to Heritage Harbor in Ottawa. Sponsors, teams and individuals combine forces to work toward a goal of $100,000 this year, to be donated to the Make-a-Wish Foundation. SRYC has raised $1,000 for this event.

SRYC Charities is proud to announce the awarding of grants and donations to five charitable organizations. 2015 fundraising efforts made it all possible. 2015 grants have been awarded to:

Friendship House, a nonprofit organization in Ottawa that assists individuals with special needs. Friendship House assists its clients with job placement, counseling, and other quality of life programs. “Changing Disabilities in Abilities.”
Camp COCO – see below. SRYC has funded a full week of camp for a deserving youngster.
The Lincoln School in Ottawa depends on grants to purchase much-needed supplies for its students.
Penguin Plunge (see above)
Gateway Services of Princeton provides services to adults and children with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities, including residences, counseling, employment and case coordination.

The IRBBA has named Camp COCO of Illinois as a charitable focus for 2016. Fundraisers at Winter Games and Miss Riverbottom will benefit this terrific organization that provides summer camp experiences for kids with cancer and undergoing chemotherapy. Kids between the ages of 6 and 17 get to experience nature despite their illness or disability. Volunteers from the SIU School of Medicine staff the program.

To raise funds for SRYC Charities, members are invited to buy breakfast at the Clubhouse before the January 10th and Feb 14th member meetings. The “Breakfast for a Cause” menu includes eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes, hash browns, and coffee, juice or Bloody Mary. Cash only – no punch cards. Breakfast served 8am to 10am. Special for January 10th: Eggs Benedict!