The Friends of the Shiawassee River have launched a fundraising raffle for a 13-foot, 5-inch Hurricane Sojourn 135 Kayak to informally kick off the paddling season. The kayak is from The Power of Water in Lansing and is valued at over $1,400. Funds generated by the raffle will be used by the Friends to host water quality monitoring stream teams, an annual river clean-up, paddling events, and other Friends’ efforts. Winners will be announced at the Friends’ annual wine-tasting event, to be held on Thursday, Sept. 15 at the Owosso Country Club.
“People are rediscovering the beauty of the Shiawassee River all the time, and if you haven’t experienced it from a kayak or canoe, I hope you’ll put it on your short list this summer,” said Lauri Elbing, Executive Director of the Friends. “There is a very good reason why the Shiawassee River is #7 on a list of the top 11 water trails in Michigan. Come see for yourself!”
The raffle is being sponsored by Fifth Third Bank – a supportive community member of the Friends on past events as well. “The Friends are grateful to Fifth Third for their continued support and generous sponsorship of this raffle,” said Matt Van Epps, Friends’ Kayak Raffle Chairperson. “The Raffle is more than just a way for the Friends to raise a little money. Part of our mission is to promote the recreational use of the river. This raffle will enable the lucky winner to get out and enjoy the river we love so much.”
Raffle tickets will be available for $5 at Fifth Third Bank (Downtown Owosso branch), Gilbert’s Hardware and Appliance (Owosso), J & S Tire (Owosso), Johnny V’s Smokehouse (Corunna), Matador Pizza (Byron), Shiawassee Regional Chamber of Commerce (Owosso), Shiawassee Arts Center (Owosso), and The Power of Water (Lansing) – or from any Friends’ Board member. They may also be purchased at the Friends’ wine-tasting event in September. The kayak will be on display for much of the summer at Gilbert’s Hardware and Appliance, J & S Tire, and other sites around town (including the Downtown Owosso Farmers Market on May 28, June 25, July 23 and August 27 and at the Moonlight Market on July 28.
For more information about the Friends of the Shiawassee River or the kayak raffle, visit ShiawasseeRiver.org.or contact the Friends’ Executive Director Lauri Elbing at (989) 723-9062 or info@shiawasseeriver.org.
