While last weekend’s Thanksgiving Run for lunch at the Captain’s Table at Harpoon Harry’s in Punta Gorda, Fla., was the third event on the 2017/2018 Fort Myers Offshore calendar, it was the nonprofit organization’s first designated fundraiser of the season. And thanks to “renewals and the generosity of our membership,” according to Fort Myers Offshore president Eric Belisle, this season’s college scholarship fundraising efforts are off to a great start.

In its first designated fundraiser of the 2017/2018 season, Fort Myers Offshore saw a strong 35-boat turnout and solid contributions to its scholarship fund. Photos courtesy/copyright Carl McBride/Digital Photo graphics.

“The club raised close to $5,000 for our student scholarship fund,” Belisle said, adding that the event attracted a mix of 35 high-performance catamarans, V-bottom sportboats and center consoles.

“The weather was perfect with highs in the upper 70s and light wind,” Belisle explained. “Excellent weather wasn’t just nice for the run itself, but for those who came by boat from Naples and Marco Island—they ran a total of 180 miles for the day. A few first-timers joined us for the run in addition to a new corporate sponsor.

For more images from last weekend’s Thanksgiving Run check out the slideshow above.

“As usual, the success of this event was the result of a great team effort led by our board of directors, which includes Hans Haedelt, Bill Lemanske, Drew Phyfe, Meghan Brousseau, Bill Forenski, Tim Hill and me,” he added.

Next up on the FMO calendar is its New Years Fun Run on Dec. 30 to Marco Island. Like last weekend’s event, the run is a designated fundraiser for the club.

Related story: Fort Myers Offshore Hits Sarasota, Club To Distribute $60,000 In Scholarships