Good afternoon, I would like to request some information on the process of possibly starting a Hospice Regatta in Wrightsville Beach/Wilmington NC. I have been involved in organizing and chairing numerous charitable events in Raleigh, North Carolina benefiting various causes including; The American Red Cross – Black Tie Galas and four golf tournaments, the Jimmy V Golf Tournament for cancer research, American Heart Association – Heart Walk, fundraisers for HIV/AIDS,local scholarship benefit events and a fishing tournament in Beaufort, NC.

I attended the Hospice Regatta in Ft. Lauderdale several years ago when my friend, Peter Brewster, was the Co-Chair of the event. I thought even then, what a wonderfully well run event for such an incredible cause.

Recently, my partner’s Mother, Zelda Harmon, passed away in the Lower Cape Fear Hospice and Life Care Center, Wilmington, NC and the entire experience was such a comfort to her, the family and all of their supportive network of friends. Zelda Harmon loved boating & the water, plus lived on the Intracoastal/Coast for almost all of her sixty four years. I think it would be a fitting tribute to her, while hopefully establishing a fundraiser that the surrounding community can embrace. To my knowledge, there is not another event similar to this in that specific area.

In trying to think of ways to engage the community in the Wrightsville Beach/Wilmington area to get them educated on the services of Hospice, plus help the local organization raise needed funds, I naturally remembered the Hospice Regatta I attended in Ft. Lauderdale.

I realize there are many factors and issues to consider in beginning to organize such an event from scratch, but I would love to hear some of the “best practices” from other areas on how they actually began. I appreciate any feedback!

I look forward to hearing from someone from your great organization.

Sincerely, Richard