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University
Yacht Club hosts Christmas boat parade for charity
By Pamela A. Keene
It’s true. The holiday
decorations have been out since Labor Day in some stores around the
nation. And believe it or not, the Christmas season is already
awakening at University Yacht Club with a generous spirit of giving.
The organization will host its
Second Annual Public Holiday Parade of Lights on Saturday, December
9. It will benefit Toys for Tots.
“We’ve been planning since last
Christmas,” said Buddy Meeks, event organizer. “The event is
designed to promote safe boating, provide fun for the whole family
and celebrate the spirit of the holidays.”
The Parade of Lights is one of
four events sponsored by the University Yacht Club Maritime
Foundation Inc., which was formed this year to support area
charities and provide boating education and excellence.
“The UYC Maritime Foundation has
been formed to promote boating excellence through inshore and
offshore boating and sailing activities,” said Philip Eastman,
president of the foundation. “The foundation will provide training
and events for all ages, as well as grants and other support.”
The Lake Lanier Parade of Lights
is an annual parade of boats decorated for the holiday season. Boats
of all sizes participate from small runabouts to houseboats. The
boats assemble in Big Creek Bay near Holiday Marina and University
Yacht Club and the parade typically runs up and down the main
channel of the southern portion of Lanier.
“As a night parade the sight is
spectacular,” Eastman said. “Local businesses sponsor the event and
the foundation will use these events to raise funds to a specific
charitable purpose that is consistent with the foundation’s
mission.”
Prizes will be awarded in the
Parade of Lights in the following categories – best overall, best
cruiser, best houseboat over 55 feet, best houseboat under 55 feet,
sailboat and runabout/pontoon.
“The Coast Guard Auxiliary will
be assisting with parade preparations to help ensure a safe event,”
Meeks said. “They will provide spotter boats to help guide around
shallow waters and assist with marshaling.”
UYC hosts AADD
 The
UYC Maritime Foundation hosted the Atlanta Alliance on Developmental
Disabilities in late August on a boating outing for the fifth year.
More than 150 special needs children and adults spent an afternoon
of outdoor fun at the University Yacht Club on Lanier. The program
was started when participants in the recreation program of the
Atlanta Alliance on Developmental Disabilities were invited by
members of UYC to the club for boat rides and a cookout.
 Participants
enjoyed a day of face painting, fishing, swimming, volleyball and
other fun outdoor activities kept the participants busy. Nearly
three dozen UYC members donated their time, boats, and golf carts
for the afternoon. Program participants enjoyed boat rides and were
shuttled between the UYC Beach House and docks on golf carts. The
late afternoon cookout was held in the UYC Pavilion.
The AADD is a nonprofit
organization that works to enhance the lives of people living with
developmental disabilities. This year, the organization is
celebrating its 50th year of service.
 Today,
AADD’s mission is to build communities of support, acceptance and
opportunity for children, adults and their families living with
developmental disabilities. For more information about AADD, or to
make a donation of furniture or clothes, visit the AADD website at
www.aadd.org.
Lanier Cup
On November 20, The UYC Maritime
Foundation will host the Annual Lanier Cup Invitational Sailing
Regatta. Early next year, the group’s Hot Ruddered Bum Open Sailing
Regatta will be held on February 10, 2007.
For more information about the
UYC Maritime Foundation, visit the University Yacht Club website at
www.universityyachtclub.org or call Buddy Meeks about the Parade
of Lights at 770-597-6589. |
