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What's New August 24, 2007
Because you have played such an important roll in the restoration of the Monterey fishing vessel IRENE, we knew you would be interested in how the project is progressing. It has been 11 months since the idea of creating a harbor touring business for educational grant purposes was first conceived. Looking back at the pictures that we have taken to chronicle IRENE’s restoration, it has been just over 6 ½ months since actual work began on her hull. Here is a brief update on her progress to date:
IRENE was visited today by family members of her original owner, George Bettencourt... his son, grandson, and great-grandsons. It was a very moving moment for everyone. We want to acknowledge how grateful we are to the Harbormaster, Dan Temko and the San Mateo Harbor Commissioners: James Tucker- President, Ken Lundie - Vice President, Leo Padreddii – Treasurer, Sally Campbell - Secretary, & Pietro Parravano – Commissioner. It is because of their unanimous approval of this project that we have been able to restore IRENE at the site she now temporarily calls ’home.’ We would like to take this opportunity to recognize and thank some of the individuals who have been working diligently to bring Project IRENE to fruition. Peter Guernsey was the first to come on board as a financial backer and as a volunteer. He is now CEO of the Pillar Point Educational Fund. Alex Becker has been working side-by-side day after day with Leland to restore IRENE since the start of this endeavor. He has generously supported the project financially as well. Mel Black has been contacting business and individuals all along the coast telling them (in his own words) “about the purpose of this commendable undertaking.” He has made it his personal goal to raise the money ($20,000!) needed for a new John Deere engine. He too has generously supported the project financially as well as with many hours of his time. John Ryan our CPA has worked hours preparing the legal forms and letters necessary to establish the Pillar Point Educational Fund, as a 501 c 3 non-profit organization. He has donated his time and expertise pro-bono. ‘Bub’ Lawrence volunteers his skills as a finish carpenter to help with the restoration. Bub has generously invested both time and money to the Pillar Point Educational Fund. Vid Raatior has designed a wonderful website for us. It is www.projectirene.org Please check it out! Diane Ross has been researching local foundations and possible sponsorship opportunities for our foundation to approach and apply for grant monies. She and her husband Dale are financial supporters as well as volunteer painters. Diane is also known for bringing yummy cookies to the site to cheer us on! Colin Haughin, a well known local artist, painted and donated our, “Please Help Restore the IRENE” sign. Because the list of volunteers, financial donors, individuals and businesses who have contributed their time, expertise, discounts, equipment, pictures, and items appropriate for a Monterey fish vessel is too extensive to include within this format, we ask that you visit the restoration site for a complete list and to say “Hello!” The Pillar Point Educational Fund is working to raise $82,000 to restore and launch IRENE and the harbor tour business itself. We have raised $22,000, two thousand from anonymous donations via the ‘Donations Drop Box’ at the site. An estimated $60,000 more is needed for the engine, drive train, electronics, Fiberglassing, and start-up money for the business. A real plus is that when IRENE's restoration is completed and the Harbor Tour business is established, the Pillar Point Educational Fund expects to never have to ask the community for financial support again. Thank You again for your support of this project. We really could not be doing it without you and others like you…people who appreciate the value of restoring an historic Monterey-style fishing boat and people who perhaps are also touched by the unexplained ‘romance’ such a vessel brings with her. You also are part of a special group of individuals who understand the importance of creating a resource by which we can raise funds needed for grants to help defray the cost of secondary or vocational education for our grant recipients.
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Dear Friend of the IRENE,