SEQUIM — Mike Crim figured out, a good 18 years ago, how to put his passions together. An avid sailor and a family doctor, Crim founded the Reach for Hospice regatta, which races sailboats across Sequim Bay while raising funds for local families in need.
His chosen charity is Volunteer Hospice of Clallam County, which provides respite care for people facing terminal illness.
Since the first Reach for Hospice race in 1992, Crim and his fellow Sequim Bay Yacht Club sailors have raised $131,625 for the organization, which provides skilled nurses for patients so their family members can get away to run errands — or simply rest.
Last year alone, Hospice provided 2,000 hours of respite care for Clallam County patients and families.
In 2008, the Reach for Hospice racers collected $25,094 in donations, and their goal this time out is as it has been every year: to up the sum a bit while running a good race.
Reach for Hospice co-organizer Susan Sorensen, then, invites all community members to come out to John Wayne Marina this Saturday for the 1 p.m. regatta, which will spread 14 sailboats across Sequim Bay.
“Bring a picnic,” she said, and consider making a contribution to Volunteer Hospice.
“Your donation does make a difference,” Sorensen said, noting that in June of this year, hospice nurses served 82 families in Clallam County.
Among the sailboat skippers, there’s a friendly rivalry, Sorensen added. Each strives to get out in front when it comes to collecting contributions.
But on race day, Sorensen’s husband Don said, that part of the event is whisked away on the wind.
He encouraged spectators to bring their checkbooks Saturday and instead of choosing a particular boat, just make contributions to Volunteer Hospice of Clallam County.
They can also send a check straight to Hospice at 540 E. Eighth St., Port Angeles, WA 98362.
Don, who’ll be crewing on his friend Bob Macaulay’s boat, Denali, added that Reach for Hospice provides two compelling reasons to spend a September afternoon in the sun.
“We love racing, and we want to raise money for Hospice. So we put the two together,” he said, “and try to have a good time.”
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Sequim-Dungeness Valley reporter Diane Urbani de la Paz can be reached at 360-681-2391 or at diane.urbani@ peninsuladailynews.com.