A strong summer for MattSail despite fundraiser cancellation
Aug 10, 2021
Students from a 2019 summer sailing program sail in Mattapoisett. Photo courtesy: MattSail
MATTAPOISETT — The Mattapoisett Community Sailing Association has cancelled its Aug. 13 fundraiser due to covid, but President John Cornish said the organization isn’t in “dire straits.”
“Well, we’re going to be able to survive,” Cornish said.
The fundraiser, “Fun’raiser Fling,” was scheduled for 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday. It was slated to have music, a silent auction and food.
With around 120 participants and 11 instructors in this year’s kids sailing program, Cornish said the organization will do just fine without the fundraising event.
“It’s great for the kids and it’s rewarding for our volunteers,” Cornish said, noting that the program helps kids “gain confidence” and learn how to sail.
The money raised at the Fun’raiser — now cancelled two years in a row — is typically used to fund equipment repairs.
“And the more you use something, of course the more wear and tear it has,” Cornish said.
Some of the funds raised at the Fun’raiser were also intended for Old Rochester’s sailing team, which uses MattSail equipment.
Cornish said “there were all different opinions” on whether the indoor event, which would have had 150-200 participants, should go on. Ultimately, the MattSail board decided to cancel the event and forgo having to enforce masking or ask for vaccination status.
“It looked like we were going to have a full place, which is not exactly what we want,” Cornish said.
In a post on Facebook, MattSail wrote that there was little way to keep everyone safe at the event.
“We had a great response to our invitations and were expecting a lot of people to attend,” read the post. “The Reservation Golf Club would have been packed, and with this in mind, we don't see a way that we can eat, drink and socialize and keep everyone truly safe.”
There is no reschedule date for the full event, but the Fun’raiser silent auction will be moved to early September.
Despite the loss of the fundraiser, Cornish said he’s “really pleased with the program” this year.
Those who wish to donate to the sailing association can do so on its website, mattsail.org.
