The 2013 Great Abaco Family Fitness Weekend (GAFFW) raised funds for two Abaco based organizations, The Rotary Club of Abaco and Friends of the Environment.
In only it’s second instance, the 2013 event held in March more than doubled it’s participation from the inaugural year. 185 eager athletes and families competed from across North America and the Bahamas, selling out the event host, the Treasure Cay Beach, Marina & Golf Resort.
Participants competed in a 1-mile open water swim, Sprint and Olympic triathlons, and a 5k/10k fun run/walk. Cheer Bahamas also put on a Junior Cheer Clinic for the spirited youth.
Friends of the Environment, a local non-profit environmental organization devoted to preserving Abaco’s fragile environment and working towards a more sustainable future, was one of the beneficiaries of the event. Two members of their staff, Kristin Williams and Lindsey McCoy, also competed in the events. For the second year, FRIENDS’ was able to team up with event sponsor Cycles Unlimited to hold a raffle for a Jamis bicycle, which raised over $700 for the charity. The Great Abaco Family Fitness Weekend also donated $750 to the organization, raising close to $1500 in funds.
The other beneficiary of the event was the Rotary Club of Abaco, a local and international volunteer organization that provides support for many programs throughout Abaco. This year, president Dwayne Wallas competed in his first triathlon and in doing so raised nearly $1000 for the fight against Polio, a major Rotary International program. The Great Abaco Family Fitness Weekend donated an additional $1000 to the Rotary club, which will be earmarked for their local youth and educational programs.
Both organizations provided much needed support for the event, providing volunteers and logistical support. The Great Abaco Family Fitness Weekend would also like to thank their major supporters: the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Carlo Milano, Damianos Realty, Treasure Cay, and BTC, along with the many others who donated prizes, awards, and support to the event.
More information on the 2013 event, including results and photos, can be found on their website: www.GAFFW.com. The 3rd Great Abaco Family Fitness Weekend is scheduled for March 21st – 23rd, 2014, in Treasure Cay, Abaco.
Photo 1: The Rotary Club of Abaco President, Dwayne Wallas (right), receives their support cheque from the Great Abaco Family Fitness Weekend director, Lee McCoy (left).
Photo 2: Friends of the Environment representatives Olivia Patterson (left) and Lindsey McCoy (right) receive their support cheque from the Great Abaco Family Fitness Weekend director, Lee McCoy (center).
