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2012 Call for Skippers and Crews:

Ahoy!

Please join us for a long distance race on Lake Ray Hubbard on Saturday, May 19th to help raise awareness for mental illness!
There will be a pre-race party on Thursday May 17th at Bridge Bistro and post-race party at Allure restaurant on the lake, Saturday May 19th!

I am organizing this race to honour my mom, Donna Ross, who died unexpectedly in February, 2011.   While not the cause of her death, she struggled with mental illness for most of her adult life and it was a major factor in the quality of her life and had a great impact on her friends and family.  I believe that one of the major challenges that affected my mother and those close to her, was the secrecy in which she felt she must live regarding her mental illness.  Nevertheless, she was brave and steadfast in seeking medical help and provided an excellent and caring home for her children and husband!

In her honour, I am embarking to raise awareness of mental illness so that those affected and those close to those affected may live openly and without shame about their disease.  It is my hope that this will help individuals seek treatment earlier, and will help foster an environment of support that will profoundly improve these individuals’ lives!

Please join me in this goal by “Going The Distance for Mental Health” in a long distance race around Ray Hubbard on Saturday, May 19th!  The race will start at 3pm and end at approximately 5pm.  It will be staggered start based on PHRF so that everyone will finish at approximately the same time.  It will be an exciting race!  The race will be followed by a party and award’s ceremony at Allure restaurant (www.allure-rockwall.com).  A pre-party and skipper’s meeting will be held on May 17th at the brand-new restaurant Bridge Bistro (www.bridgebistrodallas.com), which will be a great time to share stories and libations!

All proceeds of this event will go to the Mental Health Association of Greater Dallas (www.mhadallas.org) to help raise awareness of mental illness in our local community!

To Recap:
– Join us for a memorial race to honour Donna Ross and to raise awareness for mental health, with all proceeds benefiting MHA Dallas.
– May 17th, 7pm-10pm, Pre-party and Skipper’s meeting at Bridge Bistro Dallas.
– May 19th, 3pm-5pm, staggered start long distance race around Lake Ray Hubbard
– May 19th, post-race party and award’s ceremony at Allure Restaurant on Lake Ray Hubbard
– Official race registration will begin in early April and will be organized by myself, Scott Self and Dan Malak

The success of this event will be greatly enhanced by having an armada of boats and crews battling it out to be the first to cross the finish line!  Thank you very much for your support and I look forward to seeing you on the lake!

Sincerely,
Rick Lucarelli
skipper s/v Donna Sue, Chandler’s Landing Marina

Questions? Please contact Rick Lucarelli, [email protected]