When Lucy Nicandri, the director of Suncoast Charities for Children, woke up this morning she thought last month’s Suncoast Summer Fest had raised $135,000 for her organization. And she was pleased with that total. As it turns out Nicandri was wrong—but pleasantly surprised to be so. Thanks to one of the sponsors of the weeklong event, which was bookended by the Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix and the Suncoast Summer Fest Fun Run, the total rose today to $147,500.

Anchored by the Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix, Suncoast Summer Fest raised almost $150,000 for Suncoast Charities for Children last month. Photo by Pete Boden copyright Shoot 2 Thrill Pix.

“Right after we sent out our announcement, Greg Corvelle, the general manager of Marina Jack’s, emailed me to let me know that this year they absorbed entire the production costs of the July 4 Bayfront Fireworks,” said Nicandri. “Our appreciation and thanks go out to Greg Corvelle and Suncoast Charites board member Sam Chavers, Jr., the regional vice-president of Suntex Marinas) for this surprising news

“Success like this on the fundraising side, coupled with the economic impact generated by traditional boat races, are a win-win for Suncoast Charities for Children and our local business economy,” she continued. “This money will allow us to provide a significant grant to the Suncoast Foundation to do some necessary capital improvements at several of the non-profit agencies we support.  It will also enable us to fund specific projects within these agencies related directly to programs and services. So many children, teens, and adults with special needs are on a waiting list. Good news like this will have such a significant impact on their lives and their future.”

Though this year’s Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix had operational issues, which led to the cancellation of the final race of the day for the Supercat class, under the Powerboat P1/P1 Offshore and Visit Sarasota County organizational umbrella, P1 chief executive officer Azam Rangoonwala said he was delighted with the fundraising results. He also vowed that P1 Offshore will return in 2022 to produce a much-improved event.

“From a racing perspective, we had some challenges but we are already in planning stages for 2022 to get a head start,” said Rangoonwala, a longtime supporter of Suncoast Charities for Children. “One of our primary focuses with the Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix has always been to give back to the kids and benefit Suncoast Charities for Children. Having worked with Lucy and Suncoast Charities for many years now, it was an honor to have been able to be a part of the process and a part of Summer Fest this year.”

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