Chincoteague Island Waterman's Memorial Boat Raffle Winners Announced

The Chincoteague Island Waterman’s Memorial has two new sponsors, Mr. Frank Barone, and his wife Carolyn, of Arlington, VA. They are the winners of the 16’ Chincoteague Scow, 50 Horse Power Mercury Motor, and Long Trailer raffle that took place at the Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce Oyster Festival in October 2013. This past week, they came to Island to take delivery of their Chincoteague Scow, only they did not take it back home with them. They had decided to donate it back so that it could further benefit the Waterman’s Memorial, but with a twist. Both of them have seen the benefits and impact the Boy Scouts of America have made too many of the young men they have come in contact with over the years. They wanted to know if there was a way that their donation could benefit the legacy of the Waterman’s Memorial and the Boy Scouts of Chincoteague Island at the same time. When asked why they would make such a gesture, they both replied, “Chincoteague Island is a wonderful place and we both feel that the Waterman’s Memorial should be included as part of the Island heritage. We want to help the Boy Scouts and we want to see the memorial project succeed.”

Chris Bott, the Scoutmaster of Chincoteague Boy Scout Troop 323, sponsored by the Christ United Methodist Church, was contacted and readily agreed to the idea. “We have four Boy Scouts who are currently getting ready to prepare their Eagle Scout Work Projects. Some of the Scouts have already expressed a desire to work on the Waterman’s Memorial. Any funds we receive can help the Scouts fulfill their requirements for materials. This will help fund projects for the boys coming up, now and in the future. It is my hope that the Scouts learn that the Waterman’s Memorial is not just about building a statue, it’s all about all of us in our community “Doing the Right Thing” by remembering our watermen and servicemen who were lost-at-sea.”

Barry Abell, who founded the Chincoteague Island Waterman’s Memorial in 2006, was more than pleased by the outcome of the raffle. “The final tally of the funds raised by the raffle came out to over $30,000.00. That’s not too bad for one year of selling tickets. It just goes to prove that people do want a Waterman’s Memorial and that the Chincoteague Scow is still a thing of beauty and function.” When asked what he will do with Frank and Carolyn’s donation, Abell says, “We’re going to do everything that Frank and Carolyn want us to do. We are going to sell “Joe Bill” and then help fund any Boy Scout who has the desire to include the Chincoteague Island Waterman’s Memorial as part of their Eagle Scout project. It will give them a chance to learn about the fishing heritage that has defined our Island for generations, enable them to do something good for our community, and hopefully, will show them that with a little hard work – they can accomplish great things.” Abell also stated, “We are going to do everything we can to fulfill all of the Frank and Carolyn Barone’s wishes. The mere fact that the Chincoteague Scow has come full circle - from building it, setting up a raffle and making it happen, to getting it back from a gracious winner – and then using the proceeds to help the Boy Scouts and the Waterman’s Memorial is just wonderful. It’s unbelievable really and makes me believe that we are getting divine help from above and that God is smiling down on us. We need more good people like Frank and Carolyn in this world and we certainly need to make sure that we as a community do everything we can to make them feel at home whenever they come back to visit Chincoteague Island. Their kindness is a great example of how we all should live.”

Abell says “Joe Bill” is a 16 feet long Chincoteague Scow; a 50HP Mercury engine, Stainless Steel Propeller, and Power Trim and Tilt; and a Long Trailer. The price is $21,500.00. Click here for more information.

This article was published by Chincoteague.com on 2/10/2014.
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