Mystic Whaler Sail Raises Nearly $10,000 for the Todd Wilkins Scholarship Fund

Mystic, Conn. – The 9th annual fundraising sail of the Mystic Whaler raised $9,980 for the Todd Wilkins Scholarship Fund on Sunday, July 17. The endowed fund provides support for young people to participate in the sail education programs at Mystic Seaport.

The endowment was founded by Rich and Jane Wilkins in memory of their son Todd Wilkins, a Mystic native and former sailing instructor at Mystic Seaport, where he himself learned to sail. He passed away tragically in 2003 at the age of 33.

The Mystic Whaler holds a special meaning for the Wilkins family, as Todd started sailing onboard at the age of 10 and spent several season as crew under Capt. John Eginton. Eginton now donates the boat for a memorial sail each year. This year 65 people (the boat’s capacity) participated in the day-long cruise. Local musicians Christine Cooney, Jay McSorley, and the Cartells performed onboard throughout the day.

“Todd inherited his father’s passion for sailing and that is why Rich approached the Museum to begin an endowment to perpetuate Todd’s memory, and to offer young people the opportunity to learn to sail or participate in the sailing programs that were so important to him,” said Jane Wilkins.

In 2011, the endowment disbursed over $3,200 to enable eight youths to attend sail education programs on the schooner Brilliant. The oldest program of its kind in the country, Brilliant has taught teamwork, leadership, stewardship, and traditional seamanship for over 55 years to more than 9,000 teenagers and adults.
Images available upon request.

 

About Mystic Seaport
Mystic Seaport is the nation’s leading maritime museum. Founded in 1929, it is the home of four National Historic Landmark vessels, including the 1841 whaleship Charles W. Morgan. For more information, please visit www.mysticseaport.org.