Heading into their seventh year producing the Rock The River Cincinnati Fun Run on the Ohio River, Pat Feldhaus, his brother, Matt and Michael Caliguri had hoped to haul in $100,000 for the Cecil Dye Foundation. They sold out registration in record time with 130 powerboats inked for the event. They sold out sponsor registration before general sign-ups even opened.
Thanks to the generosity of its supporters and devotion of its organizers, the seventh annual Rock The River Cincinnati Fun Run will contribute heavily to the Cecil Dye Foundation this year. Photo by Pete Boden copyright Shoot 2 Thrill Pix.
But as previously reported, the river swelled to unsafe heights last weekend—at least for pleasure-boat operation—and the organizers had to come up with another plan for the 457-plus participants who still showed up.
Despite the format pivot, Pat Feldhaus said he still expected to meet their fundraising goal. And he and his comrades came close.
“We don’t know a couple of the expenses yet, but based off years past we figured up the Cecil Dye Foundation will receive close to 90,000,” he explained “We couldn’t be more thankful for the people who showed up to help raise money for the foundation.”
The event will return next year with a new addition to the team. Formerly of Sunsation Boats and Scrapyard Media, Michigan’s Ryan Wenk is coming on board.
“Ryan has offered to handle all our social media for Rock the River,” Feldhaus said. “He said he loves the people and what the run supports.
“He is making the event video for this year as well,” he added.