|
|
|
|
Last Updated: Feb 6, 2017 - 2:32:04 PM |
Raises $25,000 to Benefit Spinal Injury Patients (Photo: Jillian Morris)
|
Raises $25,000 to Benefit Spinal Injury Patients
South Bimini, Bahamas – Bimini Sands Resort & Marina on South Bimini in the Bahamas is proud to announce that the 2nd Annual Lionfish Bash, held on July 13-15, 2012, was an outstanding success. A total of 345 lionfish were caught during this fun family event, which was created in 2011 to raise awareness about lionfish, an invader species in the Bahamas/South Florida ocean ecosystem. The 2012 Lionfish Bash also helped to raise approximately $25,000 for The Woody Foundation, a Miami-based 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization created to aid spinal injury patients. The event was co-organized by David Mills and his mother, Bimini Sands condo owner Mary Mills. Title sponsors included Bimini Sands Resort & Marina, Brown & Brown of Florida, Inc. Marine Insurance Division, The Burlington Family, and Dade Medical College.
Participating in the Lionfish Bash for the second year in a row was James “Woody” Beckham, 23, who grew up fishing and diving in the vibrant blue waters off Bimini. In January 2011, he sustained a spinal cord injury in a college rugby match that rendered him paralyzed from the chest down. Soon after, Woody and his family created The Woody Foundation (www.woodyfoundation.org), a nonprofit organization created to raise funds for the recovery of spinal cord-injured persons.
“The Lionfish Bash is a unique, family-oriented event that everyone seems to enjoy, while falling in love with the beauty of Bimini,” Woody Beckham said. “I was glad to get back over there to have another amazing Bimini adventure.”
The approximately $25,000 raised by this year’s Lionfish Bash and its “Send-Off Party”, held on July 12th in Miami, Florida, will be used to benefit Jackson Rehabilitation Hospital in Miami and Shake-a-Leg Miami, he announced.
A City of Miami Salute to The Woody Foundation, signed by Mayor Thomàs Regalado, was read at the Lionfish Bash Send-Off Party. Florida Senator Gwen Margolis also sent an official Proclamation honoring The Woody Foundation’s resolve and charitable efforts to the event.
David Mills Spears Lionfish (Photo: Duncan Brake)
|
Participants in this year’s Lionfish Bash at Bimini Sands enjoyed a welcome party/Captain’s Meeting, a day of free-diving spearfishing for lionfish off Bimini, and a festive Awards Banquet at the resort’s upscale Bimini Twist Restaurant. The 2012 Lionfish Bash winners included:
-
1st Place for Most Lionfish (143): The Alvarez family team on boat G&R.
-
2nd Place for Most Lionfish (64): The team from the SharkLab on South Bimini.
-
Biggest Lionfish (35.65 oz.): David Mills, whose team chartered Bimini Sands One for the event.
-
Biggest Lionfish/Junior Division (30.60 oz.): Gabriela Alvarez, age 10, from Team G&R.
-
Smallest Lionfish (0.05 oz.): Emily Marcus from Team SharkLab.
A total of $1,000 in cash prizes was awarded to the winners. Each place also received a beautiful 2012 Lionfish Bash trophy, a custom spear handcrafted by David Mills, a $50 gift certificate from Hopkins Carter Marine Supply, and other valuable prizes. The winning Junior Angler also received an NPX protective bodywear shirt donated by Adventure Sports of Miami.
The inaugural Lionfish Bash, held at Bimini Sands in July 2011, raised $20,000 on behalf of The Woody Foundation, which donated the full amount to Jackson Rehabilitation Hospital. The donation was earmarked to purchase new therapeutic equipment for the hospital and to help fund its innovative recreational therapy program, which helps spinal cord injury patients re-enter the world outside. Woody Beckham brought a hand-cycle exercise therapy machine purchased with The Woody Foundation’s 2011 donation to the 2012 Lionfish Bash in Bimini.
“We were delighted by the turnout for the 2012 Lionfish Bash, the enthusiasm the participants brought to the event, and the great fun they had here all weekend,” said Bimini Sands President and CEO Frank Cooney. “Most of all, we were glad to see Woody back here, enjoying the resort where he grew up spending his vacations. We’re very happy to help him raise funds to aid spinal injury patients with their own recovery process.”
Cooney added, “In addition to the other Title Sponsors, we’d like to thank 2012 Lionfish Bash Committee Members David Mills, Mary Mills, Lucy and Otto Foerster, Elizabeth Martinez, Ernesto Perez, and our Bimini Sands Activities Directors Katie Grudecki and Grant Johnson for organizing this outstanding event.”
About Bimini Sands
Located just 50 miles from Miami on the Bahamas gateway island of South Bimini, this year-round resort features a hotel with fully furnished one-, two- and three-bedroom villas with beach or marina views; a full-service marina accommodating boats up to 100 feet; three freshwater swimming pools (including an infinity pool as of August 2012); gastronomic dining, featuring chef-styled island specialties and the island’s only sushi bar, and a full suite of eco-tourism water-sports activities. Minutes from Bimini International Airport with service to the U.S. East Coast and Nassau, Bimini Sands offers spectacular views of Bimini’s luminous blue waters, sunsets over the Gulf Stream, coral reefs and a secluded ocean beach just steps from your door. Family-owned and operated for more than 15 years, Bimini Sands Resort & Marina is one of the Bahamas’ top-rated family vacation destinations. For more information, visit www.biminisands.com.
© Copyright 2012 by thebahamasweekly.com
Top of Page
|
|
|
|
