On behalf of the members of the One Square Mile of Hope Committee, co-chair Carolyn Belknap and I would like to express our deepest gratitude to all who came together to make our 2014 event not only a remarkable success in crushing the Guinness Book World Record for the largest raft of canoes, kayaks and guide boats on open water (for the third time), but also in far surpassing our goal of raising $100,000 for breast cancer research and treatment.
From an incredibly dedicated and generous local community network to the many individuals and companies from across the country who donated products and services for support and fundraising, to the over 4,000 participants from 33 states, two Canadian provinces and several countries who braved the cold, wind and rain to create a raft of 3,150 boats on September 13th, the level of personal effort and commitment to this event was nothing short of astounding.
The core group of returning committee members knew that this attempt would require considerably greater effort than ever before from both a logistical and safety standpoint.
In addition, providing services for the increased numbers and ensuring adequate access and smooth traffic flow would necessitate careful planning and as much advanced preparation as possible.
Partnering with Kiwanis Club of the Central Adirondacks brought some amazingly talented and energetic allies to help tackle these challenges, specifically in the form of Jim Connerty, Mike Griffin and Jane Slack. For your incredible dedication and many valuable contributions, we are eternally grateful.
Thank you to all of our unbelievably generous sponsors, who offered financial support, donated product or services for fundraising through raffles and auctions, provided and prepared food and/or paper products for the amazing meal that was prepared locally, or offered many of the goods and services needed to market and produce the event.
Special acknowledgement must go to our top sponsors: Old Forge Camping Resort/Water’s Edge, Raquette Lake Navigation, Penny Stuart, Placid Boatworks, Carbone Auto Group, Eddyline Kayaks, Adirondack Life Magazine and JMF Publishing.
Another less obvious form of sponsorship involved the donation of boats for others’ use in creating the “raft.”
The money raised from “rental fees” for these boats went directly and completely to the cause.
A huge thank you to Tickner’s Canoe for delivering, unloading and then picking up 54 kayaks for use by those who otherwise might not have been able to participate.
Many thanks also to Palmer Point, Brynilsen’s Viking Village, Burke’s Marina, SUNY Cortland’s Camp Huntington, and the far too many to list local families and individuals who donated the use of their boats and equipment for the greater good.
The Town of Inlet, and in particular, the Information and Tourism Office’s Adele Burnett, Mitch Lee and Margie O’Hara were integral to the creation and shaping of this event and ALL put in countless hours of their own time to make it all happen.
Thanks also to all the Town’s Parks and Highway staff for preparing and cleaning up the site and placing signage for boat launch and parking areas.
We are grateful to Police, Emergency Services, Coast Guard and CASART personnel for keeping everyone safe and assisting with those who needed help out on the water.
Beyond the significant contributions of community service personnel and organizations this was a totally volunteer event, from board members to every last set of helping hands.
Whether registering participants or cleaning and hauling boats or handing out t-shirts or passing out stickers to boats and far beyond, caring people literally came out of the woodwork to lend a hand, contribute in whatever way they could. Even now, long after the event, volunteers gather to prepare posters, shirts and hats for shipping.
Thanks to all who volunteered in one way or another over the past year, with special thanks to Committee Members Joan Armstrong, Mary Ellen Bennett, Linda Erion, Kelly Hamlin, Lee Haynes, Dennis Hudson, Nancy Jennings, Fred Johnson, Renee Link, Kathy Queen and Penny Stuart.
Last, I know that all those involved in this project are very proud of their community and how well its members came together to orchestrate such a monumental and meaningful event.
We hear and read continually the comments of visitors and of how people were blown away by the friendliness, hospitality and dedication they experienced throughout their visit.
This was not “just” about the Guinness Record, but about making a difference in our world and YES, WE DID!
The reverberations will be felt at the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, Upstate Medical Center’s Cancer and Children’s Cancer Units, and in the hearts of all those who gathered together, despite the weather conditions and even some personal discomfort, because they have somehow been touched by cancer.
