The Atlantic Highlands Yacht Club presented a check totaling $33,065 to Randi Zamkotowicz, representing 180 Turning Lives Around at a gala ceremony at the Yacht Club at the Municipal Yacht Harbor earlier this month.
The check represented the proceeds from the annual Ms Race charity sailboat race sponsored by the club and co- chaired by Diane Kropfl and Emily Smith.
“The Atlantic Highlands Yacht Club has a long history of supporting our community and we are honored to be able to continue to support the important work of the “180 Turning Lives Around” program, “ said Yacht Club Commodore Frank Allsman, in making the presentation to Zamkotowicz.
“Since our founding in 1953, community service has been a core value of our membership. I could not be prouder of all of the efforts of our members and the positive impact of the work they do in our community,” Allsman continued.
The MS Race was held in late August, specifically designed to benefit and raise awareness for 180 Turning Lives Around, a Monmouth County based private, non-profit organization dedicated to ending domestic violence and sexual assault in the community.
All proceeds from the Ms. Race as well as other related special events throughout the year comprise the total presented at the presentation event this month, the 18th annual ceremony the result of the highly successful Ms Race.
In addition to being a traditional fund raiser for 180, this year’s race paid tribute to the life and legacy of Eileen Campbell, a longtime friend and supporter of 180 Turning Lives Around.
Winner of this year’s Traditional Non-Spinnaker division was the Tartan/3700 skippered by Kropfl, a co-chair of the fundraiser, with her experienced sailing crew that included Barbara Nevius at the helm. Celtic Star, a Sabre/34 captained by Sue Mulholland of the Keyport Yacht Club came in second and Laura Oncea on Confiscated from the Shrewsbury River Yacht Club finished third.
Top honors for the new Spinnaker division went to Ann Myer from the Raritan Yacht Club and Storm Trysail Club on her J/105 Magic. Magic and Aviato, skippered by AHYC Race Committee Co-chair Karen Harris, crossed the finish line in a photo finish with Magic’s finish time reported one second ahead of Aviato. They were followed by Elaine Haher and crew on her J/24 A Better Hair Day.
A record twelve teams of women sailors from five New Jersey Bayshore yacht clubs participated in this year’s race: Eduam, A Better Hair Day, Celtic Star, Confiscated, Witch of the Wave, Coda, Saint of Circumstance, Smoking J, Lady P., Magic, Vici and Aviato.
Friends, family and other guests and spectators gathered on boats and cheered the sailors as they made their way around the course just off the Yach Harbor and visible from its overlook location above the Shore Casino restaurant.
Following the race, captains and crew celebrated on their boats followed by the awards ceremony at the Yacht Club where Allsman recognized and praised the club racing event and its support for 180.
Awards were presented by 180 Executive Director, Anna Diaz-White, who praised the club and its members for supporting the charity and bringing total donations to $225,000 over its 18 year history..
“I had so much fun and enjoyed seeing all of the amazing women sailors supporting each other, dancing, and cheering and celebrating each other!, Diaz-White said to the group. “ This is what the Ms. Race is all about. Women being supportive of women, it was and is a moving and powerful thing to see.”
In recounting some history of the annual event, Allsman, explained that in the early days of the Ms Race, club members talked about making that specific race a charity fundraiser. Jodi Dash was a Ms. Race crew member and worked as an art therapist for 180. She suggested 180 and “it’s been a partnership ever since.”
In addition, Laura Kenneally reached out to the race committee to cross promote their charity event for 180 Turning Lives Around where they created and sold shawls to benefit 180. A shawl sale inspired by Stevie Nicks, a performer appearing at the Sea-Hear-Now Festival in Asbury Park.
Two of the shawls were purchased as gifts for Ms. Race Co-chairs Kropfl and Smith by Zamkotowicz on behalf of 180. She and 180 also commissioned two pieces of art from 180’s Amanda’s Easel program for the co-chairs as well. Both women, overwhelmed by the generosity of the charity, also expressed their deep appreciation of all those who made the race the success it was. .
The cochairs also noted special events are held each year for fundraising necessary to make the Ms Race event the success it always is. Some of these special events include the Home Goods and Nautical Sale hosted by the Ms Race committee in May as part of the borough’s Townwide Garage Sale and a display of Eileen Campbell’s artwork at the AHYC Art Wall with the sale of which designated to benefit 180.
