Charles River Apparel (UPIC: CRA) purchased and donated a dragon boat to the Wellness Warriors, Massachusetts’s only dragon boat team for cancer survivors and caregivers. The team christened the boat at a special ceremony May 14.
The Wellness Warriors' dragon boat, donated to the team by Charles River Apparel
Sharon, Massachusetts-based Charles River Apparel acquired the dragon boat through a special fund sponsored by the company’s president and owner, Barry Lipsett. The supplier has been a long-time supporter of cancer research and the Wellness Warriors. Its Be Print Proud program donates portion of its sales to breast cancer research and supports a number of cancer organizations. The Wellness Warriors receive free office space and marketing support from Charles River, which is the organization’s official apparel sponsor. Lipsett also sits on the group’s board of directors.
“We are proud to support the Wellness Warriors and we were thrilled to help celebrate their mission by donating this new dragon boat,” says Lipsett. “This organization is a powerful inspiration to many people and we support their message of hope and the benefits of paddling for cancer recovery.”
The dragon boat’s christening ceremony was held at the MIT Pierce Boathouse in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where the team practices. It featured a speech from team president Sandra Tise, a toast led by Lipsett, and a special dragon eye-dotting ritual. The Venerable Miao Wei from the Greater Boston Buddhist Cultural Center purified and blessed the boat before crew boarded for its maiden voyage.
“The Wellness Warriors are extremely lucky to have Charles River Apparel take such an active interest in our organization. This boat is an amazing gift that will touch so many lives for many years to come,” says Tise.
