Presented by the Cruise Industry Charitable Foundation, the Marine Industry Cares Foundation‘s fifth annual Spin-A-Thon, raised a remarkable $150,000 for the south Florida charities Kids in Distress and Children’s Diagnostic & Treatment Center.

Spin-A-Thon 2013

The six-hour event saw over 600 participants, with up to 400 attendees, in the form of both spectators and supporters, turning up throughout the day to witness the mass charitable effort.

“To bring together such diverse cross sections of the marine community, large and small local businesses, government and community groups to raise awareness about the needs of children and families in our community and money for Kids In Distress and Children’s Diagnostic and Treatment Center is an accomplishment that we are extremely proud of,” said Mole Telfer, chairman of Marine Industry Cares Foundation.

Mayor of Fort Lauderdale Jack Seiler, Broward County mayor Kristin Jacobs and Dania Beach mayor Walter Duke were on hand to help kick off the event and even participate in the spinning. “I love the Spin-A-Thon and when you combine exercise and [doing] something like this to bring everyone together to support two great organisations like CDTC and Kids in Distress it makes for a great day in the city of Fort Lauderdale,” said Seiler.

At the close of the event Telfer recognised those that played an integral role in the event’s success: presenting sponsor Cruise Industry Charitable Foundation, MICF community partners Winterfest Boar Parade and Riverwalk Trust, as well as the in-kind sponsors and donors. Special recognition was also given to the contribution of key volunteers including the chair of the event Mark Bononi, Melissa Gribas and Peter Hult of MHG Insurance Brokers, Sabrina Farmer and Beverly Grant of IMA Yachts, Wimterfest board member Paul Kahn, Fairport Yacht Support’s Darla Skaf and the management staff of National Marine Supplies.