Last Saturday, April 6th, the Sint Maarten Yacht Club welcomed members, guests, and visitors to its annual fundraiser, the SMYC Raffle and Silent Auction. Held at the Sint Maarten Yacht Club Bar and Restaurant, the event was a great success, raising crucial funds for the club’s Youth Sailing Program. A total of $14.000 was raised on the day itself and in the weeks leading up to the event, through Silent Auction bids and income from selling Raffle tickets.
The SMYC Silent Auction showcased 26 items this year, ranging from luxurious overnight stays to captivating artworks and jewelry pieces. Attendees were able to participate in the bidding process both online and at the venue, adding an element of excitement and competitiveness to the evening.
The Raffle consisted of more than 150 generous prizes donated by local businesses. From thrilling activities to beautiful products and hotel stays, there was something for everyone among the prizes. Winners did not need to be present to claim their prizes, yet the Yacht Club Bar and Restaurant buzzed with energy as members and visitors gathered to celebrate this event.
The success of the event was made possible by the dedicated efforts of the SMYC’s Social Committee, who worked tirelessly to gather prizes, sell tickets, and manage the bidding and raffle process. Their hard work and commitment were essential to the event’s smooth execution. This Raffle and Silent Auction was their last one as they are stepping down as the Social Committee after 15 years of commitment and dedication.
“Besides the efforts of the Social Committee, the kids from the sailing school also sold a lot of raffle tickets. There was a ticket sales competition for the current students from the Sailing School. The top 3 ticket sellers receive a prize for selling the most tickets,” said Dolein van de Loo, Event and Retail organizer at the Sint Maarten Yacht Club. “Together with the kids, the social committee, staff and all donors, we made the event a great success. We are very grateful to our generous donors, hardworking volunteers, and enthusiastic participants whose contributions enable us to support our youth sailing program,” Dolein continued.
“Through fundraising events such as the raffle and silent auction, combined with donations and sponsorships, we can offer students from local primary schools sailing lessons during school hours. Additionally, we can run our Sailability Program to make sailing inclusive and accessible for individuals of all abilities,” said Saskia Revelman, manager of the SMYC. “With the success of this year’s event, I look forward to continuing its tradition of hosting the annual Raffle and Silent Auction together with a new Social Committee,” Saskia continued.
Are you interested in joining the Social Committee? Please contact saskia@smyc.com.
For more information about the Sint Maarten Yacht Club Primary School Program, Sailability Project, please visit www.smyc.com. Also, for pictures, visit the website.