On Feb 15, severe storms with tornadic activity tore through Pensacola FL, where unfortunately one of the tornadoes touched down in the Pensacola Rowing Club boatyard, picking up most of the club's shells and racks and dropping them down 150 feet away, destroying everything. The members of the three-year-old club started cleanup immediately, and looking forward is hoping to rebuild their fleet.
We have been in touch with the club members over the past week, and have received the following information from a couple members there:
"Pensacola Rowing Club is a fledgling club established on the bayous of the Gulf Coast in 2013. Last week, the first of two major storms, both spawning tornadoes, ripped through Pensacola. Unfortunately, our club's boatyard was in the path of a microburst. The result was that our boats (and their racks) were picked up and deposited 150' from their original location. Seven boats were ripped into pieces (see photo), effectively putting an end to our club's weekly activities and bringing our plans to bring youth rowing to the area to a grinding halt."
We need help, please! We're asking the local community and the nation's rowing community for donations that will enable us to start over, bringing reliable boats and gear as well as building us covered storage for our fleet so that we may restart our programs and bring competitive rowing to the youth of Pensacola.
Springtime here means that the life aquatic starts anew. We want Pensacolians to see us out there, oars digging into the shimmering Emerald waters! We're indebted to the residents of Pensacola, who've accepted the club and the sport of rowing as a natural part of the community and we're grateful for each and every one of you who've taken the time to read our plea.
Won't you please help us continue our rowing legacy by donating to our cause?
Please visit our FB page, 'Pensacola Rowing Club' to see more of what we're about and to donate directly via PayPal."
The PRC Team"
To accept donations, the club has set up a gofundme page at https://www.gofundme.com/PcolaRowingRecover.
The Pensacola Rowing Club is a non-profit organization (501(C)3) with tax ID number 46-3642666. A letter acknowledging your generous donation can be requested by contacting the club treasurer at treasurer@pensacolarowing.org .
A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE FL. DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES. 1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352) - within Florida, or 850 410-3800 - outside of Florida. Website is www.800helpfla.com
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