Not even a little rain could keep the sold out crowd of 330 guests from enjoying this year’s Newport Yacht Rendezvous event which took place on Friday, August 12th at the Newport Shipyard. The Boys & Girls Club of Newport County is grateful to the many sponsors, yacht participants, committee members, volunteers and guests who made the this year’s event a success! Karen & Perry Harris (Event Chairs), BGC Board Members, and Patti Rakolta-Keith (Board President) lead the efforts which raised in excess of $250,000 in crucial support for the Club’s programs and services.
Event Sponsors included: Newport Shipyard and Yachts International/AIM Marine Group as Event Partners, Cox Communications and Newport Daily News as Contributing Sponsors along with Bill & Jacalyn Egan, Pamela & David Ford, Thomas & Jeanne Hagerty and Linda and John Purdy as Commodores & Helmsmen
The event featured seven magnificent yachts for the guests to “hop” aboard.
Columbia – 175’Schooner provided by Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc.
Meteor – 169’ Royal Huisman Sailing Yacht provided by Dan Meyers
Axia – 123’ Palmer Johnson Sailing Yacht provided by Northrop & Johnson
Siete – 115’ Benetti Motoryacht provided by Fraser Yachts
Mis Moondance – 81’ Custom Motoryacht provided by McDonald Information Systems
L650 – 65’ SeaRay Flybridge provided by Marine Max
Latitude – 32’ Classic Motoryacht provided by Cruise Latitude.
BGC youth were on hand to greet guests as they arrived. Joe Pratt, Executive Director, and Patti Rakolta-Keith, Board President, officiated the ceremonies. There was a seated dinner under a harbor-side tent decorated with market lights. Guests enjoyed a brief video clip of the BGCRI Marketing Campaign that was produced by Duffy & Shanley and debuted earlier this year. The Mac Chrupcala Orchestra provided the musical entertainment for dancing. Russell Morin Catering & Events was the caterer. A live and silent auction along with a special request in support of the Club’s kitchen renovations rounded off the evening. Deacon John Silvia was the auctioneer.
The Club is also thankful to the many vendors and individuals who helped make this event possible, especially: Stasia Anthony from Exquisite Events who helped manage event logistics, Jennifer Saia from B & B Yachts, Brian Commette from Northrop & Johnson and Sue Gearan from Carol Kent Yacht Charters, and Kristin Reed (Board Member) who helped secure yachts, and C & S Portable Restrooms, Cocktail Guru, Exquisite Events Décor, John Orton Flowers & Designs, Katlem Designs, Keel Vodka, Landscapes to Go, McLaughlin & Moran, Newport Tent Company, NLM Photo, PPC Events – Rentals Unlimited, Russell Morin Catering & Events, The Valet Connection, Vickers’ Liquors, and Whispering Angel who helped make the evening memorable.
The mission of the Boys & Girls Clubs is to inspire and enable all young people, especially those who need help most, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens. For nearly 60 years, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Newport County has provided quality programming and services to all youth in the community. The Club is part of a nationwide movement of more than 4,000 Boys & Girls Clubs, and provides services to more than 5,500 youth annually.
