The Knickerbocker Yacht Club hosted the second "Sail for Life" Regatta in August with funds raised going to Gift of Life, a Rotary-based program whose mission is to further the cause of world peace and understanding by facilitating free medical services to needy children from around the world who suffer from congenital heart defects.

The weather forecasts called for showers and thunderstorms. They were right. Two boats managed to finish the race just as the storm hit. The rest of the fleet showed their superb skills of seamanship to return to their moorings in Manhasset Bay safe and secure although a bit wet from the drenching rains.

Following the race, KYC hosted a barbecue and party with live music. A tent covered the grounds and the participants were able to enjoy their food and drinks. As the evening progressed the rain abated and the guests were treated to a beautiful sunset. A raffle, silent auction and a live auction were held to raise funds to save the lives of needy children through the Gift of Life program. Among the donated prizes were a 7-day Caribbean cruise for four; a Peter Max original oil painting; Kerry Hellam original acrylic painting on paper; Meadowlands package for four which includes presentation of winner's trophy to the race winner; New York City weekend entertainment package including 2-night stay at the Shoreham Hotel, dinner, show tickets and limo service; Owner's Sky Box at Shea Stadium for 15 people; and much more.

The attendees met the regatta's guest of honor, 8-year-old Maka Batsaeva from war-torn Chechnya, and her mother, Roset. Maka and her family fled their home as bombs struck their village during the Chechnyan uprising. They temporarily lived in a tent and their efforts to build a cabin caught the eye of an American TV crew filming the camp for a documentary called Russia's Forgotten War which aired in 2002 on CNN Presents. A Chechnyan interpreter with a New York Times reporter informed his friend Sonia Kishkovski in the Moscow Bureau of Maka's situation. Sonia's mother is president of the Russian Gift of Life, which is part of Gift of Life, Inc., and arrangements were made to bring Maka to the United States for life-saving surgery. Maka is being sponsored by Alan and Tatyana Forman of Bellmore and she received surgery in August at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx. Doctors donated their services to perform the surgery and the hospital cost was $5,000.

Once again, KYC showed its humanitarian side by not only welcoming this child, but also helping to save the lives of over 15 additional children from the monies raised that evening. KYC members, their guests and the Rotarians present that evening who helped make the event of success should be proud, along with the people and companies who donated services and products as well as financial support.