Annapolis Boat Shows Collects $250,000 for Hurricane Relief

On the heels of two devastating hurricanes, this month’s Annapolis Boat Shows pulled together a major effort to support the victims, many of whom live and work on Caribbean islands popular with boaters.

The “Hands Across the Transom” fundraising campaign included a Donor Appreciation Party for those who gave $75 or more to the relief effort, and “Soggy Dollars” donation boxes around the show. Chesapeake Bay Magazine was proud to be a sponsor of the party, held the night of the Sailboat Show’s opening day at Pusser’s Caribbean Grille. Annapolis Boat Shows themselves pledged $5,000 to the effort.

Boat show organizers are proud to announce that as of Tuesday, nearly $250,000 have been raised.

The event drew more than 350 donors and kicked off a two-week fundraising campaign by the marine industry. More than two-dozen exhibitors, like-minded Annapolis businesses, and hundreds of boaters stepped up. More than $1,000 was raised in cash donations to the “soggy dollars” boxes around the shows.

At the Sailboat Show, Jeanneau America pledged to contribute $3,000 per-new-boat-sold and raised $30,000 in total for hurricane relief.

“We are excited by the great generosity of the boating community and, especially, our exhibitors at this year’s boat shows.  We surpassed our goal of $150K from our exhibitors and attendees and raised more than $250,000 from a number of campaigns that wished to be included under the “Hands Across the Transom” umbrella,” said Paul Jacobs, president and general manager of the Annapolis Boat Shows. “Needless to say we were thrilled with the way our exhibitors and consumers stepped up to help out and together we had a great time at the donor appreciation party to boot.”

It’s not too late to donate “soggy dollars” to the important organizations Hands Across the Transom benefits, including Virgin BVI Community Appeal, Pusser’s Hurricane Relief Fund, BVI Recovery Fund, Virgin Gorda & Bitter End Yacht Club Staff Irma Relief Fund, and Sister Season Fund.

To make a donation, click here.