After 35 years, Cardboard Cup Regatta may be sinking

Last month’s Cardboard Cup Regatta just may be the final voyage of the homemade boats that have raised money for local charities the past 35 years while competing at Crystal Lake Main Beach.

Organizers of the race, which attracts participants and their homemade boats from throughout the Midwest, say if a new board is not assembled by Sept. 30 they may have to call it quits.

“Even in a bad year, the race pulls thousands of people out,” said Anna Marie Imbordino, spokesperson for the nonprofit organization founded by area philanthropists. “It’s a huge community event. “Nobody makes a dime, and the city goes out of its way to let them take over the beach that day. It all goes to charity.”

Local charities benefiting from the race assist low-income women and children such as children’s theater programs at Raue Center for the Arts, Habitat for Humanity of McHenry County, Alexander Leigh Center for Autism, Turning Point, Sage YMCA and Big Brothers Big Sisters.

Twelve to 15 volunteers are being sought to help plan future races.

This year, a small number of volunteers, including Board Chairman Bryan Javor and his wife, organized the race, held July 27.

Javor, of Cary, has been involved in the event for 13 years. He began as a boat builder and competitor in the race. But as time has gone on and his family has grown, life became more hectic, and he has decided it is time to step away and hand the torch over.

He hopes the community will step up.

“By letting the event go you are kind of hurting those organizations that depend on the funding to help people,” Javor said.

On average, the event raises between $5,000 and $10,000, Javor said.

He said another option would be to hand the event over to one organization and let it run it, such as PADS or Pioneer Center. However, that would mean all the other organizations that also need the funding wouldn’t get it.

So, he said, the organization has decided to “go full throttle in letting the community know it will go away if the community doesn’t step up.”

This being his final year organizing the event and working at the lake the day-of  was “melancholy,” he said.

“When I  started doing this, I  wasn’t married, didn’t have kids, I was just a young guy helping out the community,” he said. “Now, I have three kids, a fourth on the way. My priorities changed. It’s bittersweet.”

Over the years, he said families have made the Regatta a tradition and have grown with the annual event.

At this year’s race, he said, “Looking at all of these people coming and thanking me for my time and the organization in general, it just really made me realize how important it is to keep it going.”

Park District officials echoed his sentiment.

“Not only has this event been a community tradition and good family fun for our residents, but [it] has benefited many local charities over the years,” Manager of Recreation Services for the Crystal Lake Park District Kim Buscemi said. “We are looking forward to a continued partnership with the organization. We are here to help and support the 2020 committee and board.”

But maybe the race will keep afloat.

“Many in the community have expressed some desire to see it continue,” Crystal Lake Park Board President Debbie Gallagher said.