Speed On The Water Readers Step Up To Donate $14,000 For Samuel’s House

Talk about a fine way to start the New Year.

Two months ago today, speedonthewater.com launched a GoFundMe campaign for Samuel’s House, the Key West, Fla.-based homeless services organization we have helped support through our Key West Bash that happens every year during the Key West Offshore World Championships. With the races cancelled and large-group gatherings on hold in the city at the end of the road, our party, which raised $42,500 for the charity in 2019, was a no-go. Still, we wanted to do something for the charity.

Many builds ago, the first MTI 390X debuted at the 2019 Speed On The Water Key West Bash to benefit Samuel’s House. Photo from Key West 2020 by Pete Boden copyright Shoot 2 Thrill Pix.

That campaign ended today with $14,000 raised for Samuel’s House. And while we didn’t reach our $50,000 target, thanks to our readers we did raise a substantial sum for the nonprofit outfit. We didn’t hit our goal but we’re still delighted with results in what has been a tough year for so many people.

As the poet Robert Browning wrote in Andrea del Sarto, “A man’s reach should exceed his grasp.”

The Speed On The Water Key West Bash will—like the Race World Offshore Key West Championships—return in 2021 as will its live auction with all proceeds going to Samuel’s House. In the meantime, we thank all of you who donated in 2020 through our GoFundMe campaign.

Come Thursday evening, November 4, at the Sandbar Sports Grill on Greene Street, the first round is on us.

Start planning now—the 2021 Speed On The Water Key West Bash to benefit Samuel’ House is coming back.

Editor’s note: This story was originally published with a fundraising total of $13,550. Jeff Hoefling, one of the organizers of the Kuttawa Cannonball Run In Kentucky, is directly contributing an additional $450 to bring the total to $14,000.

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