Tampa Bay Hospice Cup
Similar to the traditions of the Morgan Invasion, the Tampa Bay Hospice Cup appeals to both cruisers and racers. With a strong focus on informal sailing and camaraderie, the event caters to cruising enthusiasts that just want to come out and be part of a fun. In addition to the traditional Morgan Invasion fleets, the regatta also features open non-Morgan fleets for PHRF, Multi-hulls, and a “Just-for-Fun” casual fleet. The committee also plans landside activities for supporters who’d like to be a part of the event but who don’t care to race.
It’s all to raise money for the Tampa Bay area Hospice organizations. Hospice organizations are committed to serving persons who are living with chronic and/or terminal illnesses, nearing the end of life, or experiencing grief. They offer comprehensive hospice and palliative care, caregiver education, individual and group counseling, spiritual support and many other programs to those it serves regardless of race, age, faith, diagnosis or financial circumstances.
Morgan Invasion History
In 1985, an avid sailor and member of the Treasure Island Tennis & Yacht Club had an idea for a unique race in the Gulf of Mexico. Dr. Richard LaGrua brought his proposal to the club's yachting committee headed by Mary (Sully) Lowe and after getting the club’s green light for his idea, he started making plans for it with Sully’s vigorous support as co-founder of the event.
LaGrua began by calling the regatta the Morgan Invasion that would feature only vessels designed or built by Charley Morgan. He sought out a sponsor, Seagrams Morgan Spiced Rum, an appropriate partner in the endeavor. In later years many yacht club members and local businesses and the City of Treasure Island pitched in to help fund the highly successful regatta.
Lifepath Hospice and Chapters Health Hospice Pinellas
LifePath Hospice and Chapters Health Hospice Pinellas are subsidiaries of the Chapters Health System - a post-acute care system providing non-profit hospice, palliative and senior independence services.
As part of Chapters Health, our mission is to provide quality hospice care and relieve the suffering of those affected by life-limiting illnesses and end-of-life issues is unwavering; our vision to be the leader in end-of-life care, unchanged.
About Empath Health
Empath Health was established in 1977 by a group of volunteers who realized the value of hospice care and wanted to bring it to their community. Empath Health is a nonprofit organization that provides care, compassion and comfort to Pinellas County residents of all ages experiencing advanced illness, nearing the end of life or experiencing grief. Care is provided by interdisciplinary teams working in a variety of care settings from patients homes, nursing homes or ALFs or one of our Suncoast Hospice Care Centers.
About Davis Island Yacht Club
The Davis Island Yacht Club is a private, member-owned yacht club situated at the south end of Davis Islands in Tampa, Florida. The Club sponsors a heavy schedule of sailing races, an active cruising fleet and a strong youth sailing organization. It maintains continuing relationships with state and regional sailing organizations, is a founding member of the Florida Council of Yacht Clubs, and is a Golden Anchor participant in the United States Sailing Association.