MICF Expands Charitable Support

Marine Industry Cares Foundation (MICF), the philanthropic vessel of Broward County’s maritime industry, is continuing to announce new and exciting ventures for 2014. These plans are all part of the broader goal of establishing the Foundation as the international leader in fostering unity within the marine industry and with the communities where they do business. MICF has already raised more than $500,000 for charities serving children and families in need, and expects to greatly increase that total in 2014. 

The Foundation is proud to announce the appointment of David Reed to the position of Board Chairman. Mr. Reed is a founding Board Member of the Foundation and has worked closely with now Immediate Past Chair Mole Telfer since the inception of the Spin-A-Thon and the organization. Chairman David Reed is publisher and co-founder of The Triton, an international newspaper for large yacht crew which has a strong following among recreational captains, crew and marine businesses worldwide. He grew up on the water living for 12 years on a sailboat travelling the Caribbean, and worked for luxury yachts as a young adult, including on the 197-foot Feadship New Horizon L. He is a philanthropist dedicated to helping abused and neglected children, and he is a strong advocate for marine trade associations. Mr. Reed has served as a Board Member for organizations such as Shake-a-Leg Miami, Kids In Distress, the United States Superyacht Association and the Marine Industries Association of South Florida. He resides in Fort Lauderdale with his wife, Lucy, and their 11-year-old daughter.

Another change to the organizational leadership and to the MICF Board of Directors is the addition of Patience Cohn, a native of Nantucket, but long-time resident of Fort Lauderdale and respected South Florida recreational marine industry professional. Ms. Cohn is currently the Industry Liaison for the Marine Industries Association of South Florida, having served previously as the organization's Special Projects Manager and as a member of its Board of Directors from 2000 - 2004. She is an industry veteran with experience working on large yachts, managing small and large marinas, and in leadership roles on educational initiatives such as the MIASF Plywood Regatta and political/advocacy issues such as the Longshore Insurance Reform. Ms. Cohn has volunteered with Mastiff Rescue of South Florida since 1995.

“These recent changes in the Board are in sync with the vision of MICF to really take the organization in a new and dynamic direction in 2014,” said Executive Director Gordon Connell. He added, “Mole Telfer’s leadership has been instrumental to the success of the Foundation to date, and David Reed as Chairman brings a renewed enthusiasm for the MICF goal of making a difference through community engagement and the Spin-A-Thon in 2014.”

MICF also recently reaffirmed its association management agreement with Connell Communications and its Executive Director Gordon Connell. Connell Communications in a joint partnership with CK2, Inc.’s Kathy Leone and Caryn Botknecht are managing the day-to-day operations of the Marine Industry Cares Foundation and serving as the Executive Management Team working with the Board of Directors. Chairman David Reed said, “Gordon’s industry and association management experience, together with Kathy and Caryn’s non-profit management and development backgrounds will help deliver on the goals and vision that we have outlined for MICF for 2014. We have great people on board to work with us and I can only see MICF getting stronger and our impact reaching more charities, children and families in the community.”

Industry professionals who are interested in becoming involved with MICF are invited to attend the 6th Annual Spin-A-Thon Kick-Off Party at 6 pm of February 27, 2014, at Events by Grateful Palate, 3002 NE 32 Avenue in Fort Lauderdale along the Intracoastal Waterway. Planning is underway for this year’s Spin-A-Thon, and MICF is expected to announce the greatest turnout in the event’s history. With the anticipated increase in support, MICF will expand their charitable giving, beyond the support to KID and CDTC, to allow for more charities to benefit. New grant giving guidelines and funding opportunities will be announced and information will become available on the MICF website.

The 6th Annual Spin-A-Thon will be held on Friday, April 25, 2014, at Esplanade Park in downtown Fort Lauderdale. Spinning begins at 1 pm and concludes at 7 pm, when the Thank You party begins featuring great local food and music. Spin-A-Thon sponsorships are available and individual spinners and teams are encouraged to sign up at www.marineindustrycares.org or call 954-639-5005 for more information.