Freedom Boat Club donates $30,000 to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast
![John Giglio, president and CEO of the Freedom Boat Club, and Chelsea Smith, special events and marketing coordinator, present a $30,000 check to Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast. They are joined by Joy Mahler, president and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast; Mark Ferster, vice president of Operations Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast; and Ira Paul, vice president of Community Development Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast. [COURTESY PHOTO]](/gcdn/authoring/2018/10/16/NSHT/ghows-LK-785f1a60-79de-6984-e053-0100007f4a9b-83fa2ac7.jpeg?width=660&height=495&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Freedom Boat Club, the nation’s oldest and largest boat club with more than 20,000 members in 31 states and Canada, recently concluded its third national cause-marketing partnership to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.
While total contributions among all participating clubs nationwide are being collected and tabulated, the corporate Freedom Boat Clubs from Southwest Florida raised $30,000, which will directly benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast.
Funds raised in each of the club locations throughout North America are returned to their local regions and BBBS affiliates.
“We are very excited by the results of our “BOATING BIG!” third-year effort, and especially appreciate the support of our generous Freedom Boat Club employees, members, and vendors in partnering with us to raise funds for Big Brothers Big Sisters of America,” said Freedom Boat Club President and CEO John Giglio. “Our corporate team thoroughly enjoys planning and executing this activity that allows young people to experience the boating lifestyle.”
Four boating events were held during the summer months of June and July at Sarasota’s Marina Jack, Englewood’s Cape Haze Marina, Fort Myers' Salty Sam’s Marina and Naples' Brookside Marina.
BBBS Bigs and Littles were invited to participate in fun games, enjoy a complimentary lunch and then take a boating adventure and scavenger hunt aboard Freedom Boat Club pontoons and deck boats skippered by FBC captains.
In addition, Freedom Boat Club raised funds throughout the summer for the organization.
Raffles were held at monthly member social events, and all new memberships in June, July and August were earmarked with a $100 contribution to BBBS.
“We at Big Brothers Big Sisters are grateful and appreciative to Freedom Boat Club and their staff for hosting such fun events, as well as for the generous funds that support our mission of changing lives for the better, forever!” said Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast CEO Joy Mahler. “
Submitted by Gina Taylor