Fundraiser will make a ‘splash’

METRO DETROIT — A group of generous boaters are ready to set sail on Lake St. Clair next month for the second annual Splash for the Kids fundraiser.

Eric Lafata, owner of Lafata Auto Body in Roseville, and Chip Miller, owner of Miller Marina in St. Clair Shores, started the fundraiser last year. Through their efforts, they attracted about 200 people on 40 boats and raised $20,000 to benefit the Tennessee Children’s Home headquartered in Spring Hill, Tennessee.

Both Lafata’s dad and Miller’s dad died when they were kids, and they wanted to do something to support children going through the same experience. It was Lafata who found the Tennessee Children’s Home.

Based in Spring Hill, Tennessee, the home has four campuses: Henderson, Clarksville, Spring Hill and Knoxville. The generosity of the Splash for the Kids fundraiser will cross state lines.

“It’s a charity that helps kids and puts them through a Christian education right on their property,” Lafata said. “They help kids that have been in some really bad situations.”

The faith-based organization is dedicated to providing a safe harbor for displaced families and youth. Services offered include residential care, education, counseling, alcohol and drug treatment, in-home care, and spiritual guidance for at-risk youth, victims of abuse and orphaned children. Lafata visits the facility twice a year to distribute clothing, shoes, sporting equipment and more to the kids.

“I like working with the kids to make some kind of difference,” Lafata said.

Last year, representatives of the Tennessee Children’s Home attended the Splash fundraiser. Lafata’s wife, Sarah Lafata, and his mom, Mary Edna Lafata, also help with the fundraising.

This year’s Splash for the Kids is a three-day event set for Aug. 16-18. The fun will begin with a pool party on Friday, a charity poker run Saturday and a raft-off Sunday. The events will take place rain or shine. All boats must be registered and paid for before the date of the event.

The Aug. 16 pool party will begin at 6 p.m. at the Algonac Harbor Club, 1999 Pointe Tremble Road. Boats can be placed into the well at any time that morning. The event is for anyone who signed up to participate in the poker run.

The poker run, scheduled for Aug. 17, is limited to 60 boats and will begin from the Algonac Harbor Club. A number of destination stops are planned along the way where boaters will pick up envelopes to draw cards. After the run, they will reveal their poker hands, and the three best hands will receive prizes.

Keep your energy up because on Sunday is the raft-off from noon to 4 p.m. on Muscamoot Bay. Disc jockey Marky Giles will provide the music, and Gorilla BBQ will serve lunch. Those interested in the raft-off must be registered as a poker run entry.

Miller is glad to be back for the event again this year.

“I try to help Eric and Sarah. They are the main drivers behind it all. They work tirelessly to pull this off,” said Miller, who does his share by promoting the event, supplying boat hoists and recruiting participants.

He enjoyed being part of last year’s inaugural event.

“It was fun. It was a great turnout with a lot of good people. Everyone was excited to help the cause,” Miller said. “It’s nice to see everyone coming together to help people in those situations. There’s nothing more vulnerable than children.”

Visit splashforthekids.com to register and for more information on the event. Sponsorships and donations also are welcome.