St. Augustine Sailing Sisters celebrate 5 Years with Bikini Race on Aug. 1

ST. AUGUSTINE, FL — St. Augustine Sailing Sisters (SASS) is a local group of sailing women who encourage each other to improve themselves and others in our community. SASS celebrates 5 years in 2020 and will hold their 5th annual SASS Bikini Race on August 1, open to female sailing teams. Find details at www.staugustinesailingsisters.com/bikinirace

A Vote for A Boat challenge will help raise funds for Betty Griffin Center, an local nonprofit organization that works to help victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse. Donate here: https://www.staugustinesailingsisters.com/vote.

In addition, SASS asks the community to donate items needed at the Betty Griffin Center:

Socks and underwear (in all sizes)
Food
Hygiene products
Hair Products
Beauty supplies/ make-up
Yoga mats/ journals items that help with emotional support and job interviews
Cleaning supplies, masks, and gloves

“We had truly hoped to exceed all of our past fundraising efforts this year, but COVID-19 had other ideas,” explained Melissa Wissel, a SASS cofounder. “So we are getting creative this year and challenging our racers to help raise money with the “Vote for a Boat” challenge. Boats will register and we will promote them on social media. The crew is then challenged to share the posts and collect donations from friends and family to see who can raise the most money for Betty Griffin Center.”

“Until about three weeks ago, we weren’t sure we would be able to have the race, much less raise money. But we know there are individuals and businesses who will still want to support our effort so we don’t want to give up too easily,” Wissel said.

The group’s mission is to ENGAGE women to join the sailing community; EMPOWER women who sail to take the helm; and EXCEL women to race to help us raise awareness and funds for organizations that help female victims of abuse. Along with three races each year, SASS usually hosts socials and meetings each month to bring like-minded women together.

SASS PINK VODKA

New this year, SASS has partnered with Sailbird Distilling Company to create a pink vodka, with $1 of each bottle sold going back to SASS and supporting the group’s mission. SASS PINK Vodka gets its pink color and unique flavor from cabernet wine barrels. Sailbird Distilling Company was founded in St. Augustine in 2019 by Susan and Brian Lieberman. Go to www.sailbirddistilling.com or follow on Facebook for more details.

For more details, go to www.staugustinesailingsisters.com, email staugustinesailingsisters@gmail.com or call 904-377-2285. Follow on social media at www.facebook.com/sasailingsisters/ and www.instagram.com/sasailingsisters/