“At the end of the day it’s not about what you have or even what you’ve accomplished — it’s about who you’ve lifted up, who you’ve made better. It’s about what you’ve given back.”
— Denzel Washington
No one can say it better than Denzel. Giving back to the community is among the best ways for a dealership to be recognized as more than just an area business. And there’s no better example than Skipper Bud’s recent donation of $160,000 to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation in partnership with Barletta Boats through the Bill and Kristin Fenech Foundation.
Tunnel to Towers was founded to honor the sacrifice of firefighter Stephen Siller, who laid down his life to save many others on Sept. 11, 2001. Most of us watched in disbelief as terrorist attacks on American soil left nearly 3,000 people dead in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Shanksville, Penn. The horror shook us all, but it also brought us together — at least for a time.
Tunnel to Towers today honors first responders and military members who continue to make the supreme sacrifice for our country. The Skipper Bud’s and Barletta donation has impacted families in four Great Lakes states that Skipper Bud’s serves.
• In Illinois, mortgages are being paid off for families of 10 law enforcement officers and two Gold Star families.
• In Ohio, the mortgages of the families of six law enforcement officers, one fallen firefighter and one Gold Star family are paid off, plus three smart homes are being awarded.
• In Wisconsin, a fallen firefighter’s family, along with one Gold Star family, have had their mortgages paid in full.
• In Michigan, the mortgages for a fallen police officer and a Gold Star family have been paid off. Funds are paying the mortgage of another fallen police officer, and a smart home is being awarded.
Skipper Bud’s, founded more than 60 years ago by Michael Pretasky Sr., was acquired by MarineMax last year.
