Sunset cruise to benefit injured soldier from Cape
The 75-foot Fort Myers Princess will be heading out to the Gulf of Mexico Oct. 15 for a sunset cruise in honor of Pfc. Corey Kent.
Kent was awarded the purple heart and medal of valor after being wounded in Afghanistan. He was on foot patrol when he was hit by an improvised explosive device in northern Afghanistan in July of this year. Kent graduated with honors from Mariner High School in 2006.
Fort Myers Princess Capt. Gene Becker said he wanted to host the fund-raiser cruise because soldiers have “sacrificed a lot for our freedom and the least we can do is help him (Kent) in the time of his need.”
Tickets are $49.97 per person, which includes hors d’oeuvres, desserts, two drink tickets for beer and wine and one raffle ticket.
The ship will board at 6 p.m. from 645 Old San Carlos Blvd. on Fort Myers Beach.
Becker said the Princess sails from Nervous Nellies from Snug Harbor Marina on Fort Myers Beach. He said the 2 1/2-hour cruise, which will set sail by 6:30 p.m., will head toward the Sanibel Lighthouse in time to take pictures as the sun sets and then head back to the dock by 9 p.m.
A full cash bar will be provided. Bob Stout, legendary local performer, will provide live entertainment during the cruise.
Raffle tickets are 3 for $5 or 8 for $10. Some of the prizes includes four, one-passenger round trips to Key West aboard the Key West Express, a three-hour sail on New Moon Sailing from Tween Waters on Captiva Island and various gift certificates.
He said the cruise is more of a cocktail party instead of a sit-down dinner.
Food donations for the cruise includes wings from Hooters, shrimp from Skip One Seafood, homemade meatballs from Tammy Balardinelli, cheese and vegetable platter from Fresh Market, desert pastries from European American Baking Company and patriotic cookies from Rene’s on McGregor.
Becker said raffle items and food donations are still being sought for the sunset cruise fund-raiser.
There are a maximum of 100 available seats for the cruise. The tickets can be booked online by clicking on the Corey Kent banner at www.fortmyers-princess.com. All proceeds collected will be donated to the PFC Corey Kent Family Assistance Fund.
For information, contact Karen Gross at 239-849-9363 or Capt. Becker at 239-765-8500.