The First Hundred Years: Clearwater Yacht Club, 1911-2011

of their friend Olivia Ceraolo—a CYC Youth Sailing Program sailor who died after a courageous battle with cancer. With help from CYC member Judy Widger and their mom Ann Railey, and the support of the Ceraolo family, they formed “Olivia Lives” and began collecting electronics for hospital-bound teens, and canned goods and other essentials for homeless members of the community. They also encourage groups around town to provide “fun days” for children and teens with cancer. In 2010, Judy Widger proposed the club help “Olivia Lives” by bringing forty children and teens from the Children’s Cancer Center to the club for a “fun swim day and barbeque provided by CYC, and a boat ride/dolphin watch on Jack Vasilaros’ 32 foot motorboat.” The day was a huge success—perhaps the start of another CYC tradition. In addition to these club-wide events, some of the club’s interest groups have conducted fundraisers for community organizations. For

Pat Dowling with a United States Marine Corps representative at the 2009 Toys for Tots event. CYC Archives .

example, the Hot Wheels Landcruisers held an event to benefit Suncoast Oncology; the Cruisers donated a decorated Christmas tree to the UPARC Festival of Trees; the Solmates offer ongoing support to Olivia Lives and Ronald McDonald House and also created, and continue to support, the Florida Women’s Sailing Association’s Young Sailor of the Year award and fund. The CYC Gulls have held an annual toy drive for the US Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots Campaign for the past eleven years. Club Manager Tom Brusini has organized CYC participation as a food vendor in benefit events for UPARC, the Clearwater Community Sailing Center, the Clearwater Area Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Arts Foundation, and the Taste of Pinellas. Plans are in the works to host an event for the High Note Society, which supports the Clearwater Jazz Holiday and provides scholarships to young area musicians. The club also provides both Race Committee and monetary support to the Clearwater Community Sailing Center, raises funds to support Olympic sailing, and hosts a 9/11 memorial ceremony in cooperation with city officials. In 2011, CYC and the Centennial Committee are combining forces with Pinellas County’s Heritage Village to create a permanent exhibit focusing on the area’s boating heritage.

104 The First Hundred Years: Clearwater Yacht Club, 1911-2011