Nearly $10,000 has been raised for the United Way of Southwest Michigan, thanks to everyone who took part in the Whirlpool “Rock the Boat” cardboard boat races Thursday. The event featured seven entries, which were judged according to creativity, theme, and speed once the vessels were raced in the river outside the Inn at Harbor Shores. Ryan Cheevers braved the waters in the United Way’s Titanic-themed boat.
“It’s exceeded our expectations for sure,” Cheevers told WSJM News. “I mean, the amount of people that came out to support the event and all of the people who came out is really neat.”
The Titanic took home top honors for best theme and most creative. Despite its theme, it did not sink. The fastest cardboard boat was the Cook plant’s nuclear submarine. It was the first cardboard boat race for the United Way, and group President Anna Murphy she was pleased with how the event turned out.
