by Tiffany Sawyer-Schank, Executive Director MIACC
Over ten thousand dollars in swag was given away or auctioned off at the 2018 Naples Boat Show. Show-goers took their chances at the daily double raffles, they placed their bids on exceptional silent auction items with low starting bids and the shopped amazing deals at the Nautical Market.
Proceeds of the Nautical Market and the silent auction items went to benefit the MIACC Foundation, which is the charitable branch of the Marine Industries Association of Collier County. The Foundation was organized to develop, produce, and support programs related to recreational boating and our local marine environment.
Annually, the Foundation produces the Free Kids Fishing Clinic at the Naples Pier, where over 350 kids in our community learn to fish and receive their very own fishing pole to take home. The primary goal of this program is to create responsible marine resource stewards by teaching children the vulnerability of Florida’s marine ecosystems and ethical angling skills. The Clinic also teach fundamental saltwater fishing knowledge and skills while promoting a positive fishing experience.
The Clinic, usually scheduled for the start of Spring Break, was canceled for 2018 due to the fishing closure on the Naples Pier. You can catch the next Clinic March 9, 2019.
The Foundation also supports local programs such as CCSO Build-A-Boat Program, Freedom Waters Foundation, Friends of Rookery Bay, Kids Don’t Float Life Jacket Loaner Program, Junior Deputy, Keep Collier Beautiful, the Naples Community Sailing Clinic and many more.
As a charitable nonprofit, the Foundation seeks sponsorships and donations to help support its programs and charitable contributions. A majority of Foundation funding comes from boat donations. Donors can give a boat, even if it’s not in running condition (some exceptions may apply) for a tax deduction. We make all the arrangements to pick up and sell the vessel at no cost to you. You receive the full fair market value as a lawful IRS tax deduction for your boat and you help make the year of a young angler.
You can also support the Foundation by donating your nautical items. At the annual Naples and Marco Boat Show(s) you can shop the Foundation Nautical Market, where items are sold at discounted prices to benefit the programs the Foundation supports. To donate your items (cushions, coolers, fishing gear, life jackets, nautical décor, etc) contact MIACC for free pick up.
For more information about MIACC, visit MIACC.org or contact Tiffany Sawyer-Schank, at (239) 682-0900 Email: director@miacc.org. Follow us at: Facebook.com/MarineIndustries • Facebook.com/MIACCBoatShow • Twitter @NaplesBoatShow, • Instagram #marineindustries