Sea Ray donates boat to benefit cystic fibrosis
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Sea Ray Boats will donate a Sea Ray 185 Sport boat and auction it on eBay.com this summer in support of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the company said in a press release yesterday.
The auction will begin at 9 a.m. (EDT) June 2, and run until 9 p.m. (EDT) June 12. The end of the auction will coincide with the Sea Ray-sponsored Cruisin’ for the Cure fundraiser in Sea Ray’s hometown of Knoxville, Tenn. The winner of the 185 Sport will be announced that evening, Sea Ray said.
“Last year our fundraiser netted $62,000,” said Pat Blake, vice president of sport boat sales for Sea Ray, who has a seven-year-old son afflicted with cystic fibrosis. “Cystic fibrosis isn’t a ‘big money’ disease with drug companies investing in hopes of a big payday, 100 percent of the research is funded by donations, and that research is making a difference. Today, the average life expectancy for sufferers of cystic fibrosis is 32 years, up from only 18 years ten years ago.”
This year’s boat comes from Sea Ray’s Riverview plant, and the donation was made possible through the contributions of Mercury/MerCruiser, Shore Land’r Trailers, Xtreme Marine Corp. sport towers, and the Great Lakes Boat Top Company, according to Sea Ray.
“We’re happy for the opportunity to support the local Cystic Fibrosis Foundation chapter as it hits close to home for the Sea Ray family,” says Sea Ray President Cynthia Trudell.
To bid on the boat, visit eBay.com and search under “Sea Ray Charity Boat.” Save this as a favorite search, and eBay will e-mail when the bidding opens, Sea Ray said.
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