The United Way of Southwest Michigan says its Rock the Boat Cardboard Boat Races have been a resounding success for another year.
The races were held at the Inn at Harbor Shores last Thursday, featuring 19 boats from organizations and businesses. The United Way’s Zack East tells us a wonderful time was had by all.
“Huge success,” East said. “Even though we had less boats than last year, the giving was definitely more. People volunteered more for this event, they helped us in many different ways, they certainly gave more for donations.”
So, how much did the races raise?
“So we’ve raised over $45,000. That’s at least 40% over last year’s revenue, which last year was the first time that United Way ran the Rock the Boat event. That had been a Whirlpool event in the past as part of their employee campaign.”
East says some businesses have come to see the cardboard boat races as a team-building exercise because the employees have to work together and come up with a boat design within the rules.
While the goal is ostensibly to win the race, East says it would almost be a disappointment if a cardboard boat didn’t eventually sink. He pointed to one from Gast Manufacturing called “Tipsy” that did, in fact, tip over.
East also thanked the engineering team at Whirlpool for designing a safe ramp for boats to get in and out of the water this year and told us the cardboard boat races will certainly be back again next summer.
