Get Your Arms Around Bainbridge Island This Morning
There is no denying that Bainbridge Island is a small close knit community, what makes this community so special are events like this for Arms Around Bainbridge (AAB).
AAB is a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting recipients struggling with serious illnesses. This Saturday, August 16, they will be holding its biggest event of the year from dawn to dusk.
Swim, bike, row walk or cheer on the participants in the 8th annual Arms Around Bainbridge Fundraiser. In addition to the relay swim around the Island and a rowing regatta in Eagle Harbor, participants can bike (or walk) in a new poker event.
Poker Bike Ride (or Walk)
Enjoy a self-paced family-friendly bike ride or walk. Visit participating merchants to build your best poker hand. Along the way find prizes, bonus cards, and special merchant discounts. Don’t have a bike? You can still register for the poker event and visit participating businesses on foot. At the end of your ride or walk, bring your best poker hand to the after party to win the grand prize.
30-Mile Around-the-Island Open Water Relay Swim
The swim begins just before dawn (5:30 a.m.) in Blakely Harbor and finishes at dusk in the same location. It is a continuous relay around the perimeter of the Island, with one or more swimmers in the water at any given time. You must commit to a minimum of one continuous mile and be able to complete your swim in 40 minutes or less. Swimmers are accompanied by safety kayaks and power boats.
Bainbridge Island Rowing Club Fun Regatta
The regatta is in Eagle Harbor from 9 to 11 a.m., starting at the Waterfront Park boat launch.
After Party
All participants (swimmers, cyclists, walkers, and rowers), volunteers, donors, and sponsors are invited to enjoy the after party at 6 p.m. (location to be disclosed). Grilled salmon (donated by Heather Patrick) will be available and Barb Dewitt’s cakes for a silent cake auction.
Arms Around Bainbridge is currently providing support to seven Bainbridge Island residents all battling serious illness and struggling to provide for their families. Six of the seven have cancer. Since 2007, AAB has helped 18 Islanders, distributing over $306,000 and assisting them in connecting with vital community resources.
is tailored to each recipient’s specific needs, from providing healthy home-cooked meals, to eyeglasses or hearing aids for ears damaged by years of chemotherapy, to money to cover crushing financial burdens from medical expenses.