AmericaTrue Raffle Changes Someone's Life

When Dick Hoagland from Eastport Yacht Club decided to have the club sponsor a raffle for AmericaTrue, he was hoping to raise money for a good cause. He had no idea that this effort could also change someone's life.

The prize for the raffle was a remote control boat. It's a replica of AmericaTrue's USA 51 yacht that they are sailing in their America's Cup 2000 endeavors. A computerized digital image was created from the artist's original design. Then that was made into a set of decals, which were applied, to the model boat. The model boat was created in San Francisco by AmericaTrue crew member, Tucker Thompson.

On June 1,1999, Eastport Yacht Club sponsored a fundraiser event for AmericaTrue in Annapolis, Maryland. The event, which was held at the Marriott hotel, coincided with the Santa Maria Cup that Dawn Riley, AmericaTrue captain, was sailing in. The model boat was unveiled at this party and raffle tickets started being sold for ten dollars each. Tickets were then sold at local marine supply stores and at the Eastport Yacht Club. The model boat was exhibited at Fawcett Marine Supply in downtown Annapolis, then was taken to various events around the area, such as boat shows.

"We advertised in the newsletter and got orders from non-resident members in other states," said Hoagland. "We even had First New England Bank buy ten tickets to use as door prizes at a boat show."

The raffle was a success. Eastport Yacht Club sold 325 tickets. After the cost of the model boat was paid, Eastport Yacht Club was able to donate $2,250 to AmericaTrue.

The winning ticket was drawn on December 1, 1999, at a party sponsored by the Eastport Yacht Club. The winner of the model boat was Kevin Wright of Easton, Maryland. He was very surprised to get a phone call that informed him he had won.

"You always buy raffle tickets thinking you're not going to win, " said Wright. Although Wright does not sail, he has friends who are members of Eastport Yacht Club and they told him about the raffle. He thought the model boat would be a meaningful gift for his 10-year-old son, Hunter.

Hunter has spinabifida. Wright said that since Hunter can use a mouse on a computer, he should be able to control the model boat. "Anything to improve manual dexterity is good," said Wright.

The model boat doesn't have a motor. It has joysticks that control the sails of the boat that make it move. Wright said that they'd probably tie a string to the boat until they learn how to sail it, so that they can pull it in when they need to. Although the Wright's don't live near the ocean, they are hoping Hunter can sail the boat in the pond at a local golf course or in a pool.

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