Something special's coming to IBYC the weekend of July 9-10 as part of the Club's 75th anniversary festivities. Island Bay will play host to the Tin Man Regatta, a fundraiser supporting St. John's Children's Hospital.
It will be a celebration on so many levels. First, its name references the poem written by club member Tom Londrigan Jr. about his son Jack, now 13, who won a life threatening battle against rare and severe infections last summer.
On June 9th, 2009 Jack was bit by a tick carrying Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) while on a day trip with his family at Jim Edgar State Park. In addition to the RMSF, Jack contracted a potentially fatal MRSA staph infection. The combination set Jack and his family on a long and challenging journey no one can fully describe or truly understand. Thanks to God, the prayers of so many around the world, and a team of very talented doctors and medical health staff from St. John's Children's Hospital (including IBYC members Dan Lanzotti, Carl Arentzen and David Graham) their journey has a joyful ending.
Jack is alive and well and playing baseball and his Fender guitar. He even illustrated a published book version of "The Tin Man" poem with the help of local artist Casey Sheehan and IBYC member Mike Thomas, president of Charles C. Thomas Publisher, Ltd.
Even if you are not a sailor, make plans to celebrate and take part in the Tin Man Regatta, because there will be a "virtual sailor" element where you can compete with your dockside favorite beverage in hand! The event is a one-day multi-fleet regatta with a Friday night Skipper's Meeting and "Texas Hold 'em" Party plus the Saturday Night Awards and Silent Auction -- open to all club members and guests -to benefit St. John's Children's Hospital and the Children's Miracle Network.
Jack Londrigan was named the 2010 Illinois ambassador for the Children's Miracle Network, a role that involves speaking engagements to raise money for the network and a trip to Washington D.C. with his family and other ambassadors from around the country escorted by Miss America Caressa Cameron to meet with President Obama and talk about the importance of child health care.
The regatta is modeled after the highly successful Louie's Last Regatta now in its 11th year in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Longtime club sailors Phil Peterson and hi grown children Nancy and Brooke competed last fall. They finished 38th out of 127 boats.
Jack's story inspired them to begin plans for a fun, FUNdraising-style regatta for IBYC that would bring the sailing and non-sailing membership together to celebrate the club's 75th anniversary, raise money for a very good cause, and celebrate Jack's life and what his family's journey has meant to so many.
The Tin Man regatta will have two marks - one near Dr. Wise's old house and the other mark near the railroad bridge. The start and finish line will be near Island Bay Yacht Club. It will be a handicapped race using the Performance Handicap Racing Formula. There will be four starting divisions and each boat will sail in their own class.
Trophies will be awarded to the top three finishers: 1st place, two cases of bee; 2nd place, 4 cases of beer, and 3rd place, six cases of beer!
