It was community service at its best when members of the Massachusetts Marine Trades Association turned out last weekend to donate funds and their time to construct “A Bed For Every Child,” and it’s another good example of ways marine businesses and associations should give back to their communities.

The event took place at MMTA-member Bass Pro Shops in Foxboro, Mass.

“Not only is it an event that sows wonderful seed into our communities,” says MMTA executive director Randall Lyons, “but it’s great for team-building and interaction with our member families.”

On Saturday morning, with more than 25 people, the MMTA team built 10 beds for children who didn’t have one. In addition, MMTA members also raised $3,500 to pay for the beds and more, so when they’re placed, each will include sheets, blankets and pillows.

“We found an amazing organization to partner [in A Bed for Every Child],” Lyons says.

To date, more than 3200 twin beds have been built and placed by the organization, which is based in Lynn, Mass.

Among the MMTA member organizations that assisted at the event and/or financially were Teakworks of New England, The Boat Guy, Bass Pro Shops and Patriot Place. Additional member sponsorships came from Saunders Boat Livery, Bassett Yacht and Boat Sales, Nauset Marine, Nantucket Marine, Winter Island Yacht Yard, Admiralty Insurance, MMTET Kids in Boating, ConfiKids, and Paul Moskevitz from Whittier Tech.

The event provided a nice opportunity for the boating industry to give back to families in need. “Every kid deserves a bed and a good night’s rest, and your efforts helped make that happen,” Lyons told MMTA members.

Consumer Index an Ominous Sign

In another signal that dealers should be honing a plan to ride out an impending storm, consumer sentiment fell to its lowest point on record this month, according to the University of Michigan.

The school’s well-recognized gauge of consumer sentiment reached a reading of just 50 for June, the lowest point ever, dating back to 1952.

Looking at it in more detail, about 79 percent of consumers are expecting poor business conditions in the year ahead. That’s the highest since 2009, and dealers know well that was a year when sales took a hit.

In addition, elevated inflation is clearly pulling down the mood of consumers and contributing to other indicators pointing to a slowing economy. Further supporting all of this is that the purchasing intentions for cars, homes, major appliances and more durable hardgoods appear to be cooling, a measure likely reflecting increased interest rates and consumers pivoting from big-ticket items to more services spending.

Take it as a parallel to the midnight ride of Paul Revere.