We may live in a boater’s paradise here in Michigan’s Great Southwest, but that’s no guarantee that everybody has equal access to the open water. That’s why Tom Armon and his crew at St. Joseph’s Freedom Boat Club, anchored in the Harbor Shores Marina alongside The Inn at Harbor Shores is delighted to join his company’s national effort to bring boating fun to Big Brothers Big Sisters while helping raise critical dollars to keep their operations going.
Armon is taking the national “Boating Big! All Aboard for the Littles” campaign to another level by not only raising dollars for the clubs, but by adding in an on the water Open House complete with hotdogs, hamburgers and boat rides at the local inner harbor.
Armon’s crew is part of the nation’s oldest and largest boat club with more than 16,000 members in 23 states and Canada. The national organization recently concluded its second year campaign to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.
While total contributions among all participating clubs nationwide are presently being collected and tabulated, the Freedom Boat Club in St. Joseph will directly benefit the local Big Brothers Big Sisters club.
Organizational leaders voiced excitement over the results and appreciation over the support of generous club members and vendors who participated in the campaign. Locally, Armon says “Our team really enjoys creating a special boating event for the Bigs and the Littles and we hope this experience will create memories that will last a lifetime for them.”
As part of the activities, Freedom Boat Club in St. Joseph will host their special event next Saturday, September 16th from 11am until 1pm at the Marina at Harbor Shores complete with their BBQ party, and boat rides for the kids and their sponsors.
Nationally, Big Brothers Big Sisters matches adult volunteers known as “Bigs” with 6-to-18 year-old youth known as “Littles.” Last year, Freedom Boat Clubs collectively raised and donated more than $61,000 for the organization.
Locally, Freedom Boat Club is donating $100 for each new member that signs on in September with the money going to the Big Brothers Big Sisters club.
