Boats’ costumed crews to row for a cause

This is the one holiday event in Delaware where Santa might drop his “Ho, ho, ho!” and opt for “Row, row, row!”

It’s the Santa Row, a light-hearted competition and benefit held each year by members of the Wilmington Rowing Center.

Crews of members plan and don costumes, row out on the Christina River and vie for bragging rights as the best-dressed, event spokeswoman Diane Mcgrellis said.

The 14th Annual Santa Row is set for 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, with the public invited to come out and support the rowers as well as its cause, Mcgrellis said.

More than 100 costumed rowers are expected to take to the water that day.

Their event raises money to support the nonprofit Ministry of Caring, which operates the Emmanuel Dining Room sites providing free meals to the needy and other programs throughout the city that help the homeless, elderly and others in crisis.

A representative of the ministry does the honor of judging the entries.

Past contests have seen boats full of toy soldiers, penguins, elves, even Santas.

The event was started in 2001 by Andy Mcgrellis, who wanted to go out for one last row – and wound up as part of a crew full of guys wearing Santa hats and beards.

His friend and longtime center member John Schoonover suggested using the event as a fundraiser for a good cause. Thus the competition was born.

A Ministry of Caring representative judges entries and those on shore root for their favorites.

The event’s fundraising has grown steadily over the years, collecting a total of more than $100,000 for the ministry.

Spectators are invited not only to watch but also to support the effort by donating canned goods, cash or checks payable to the Ministry of Caring at the boathouse on the day of the row.

Prime spots for viewing the costumed rowers are along the Wilmington Riverfront walk, at the Wilmington Rowing Center at 501 A St. and from the Walnut Street Bridge.

Donations in support of the benefit also may be sent to the Ministry of Caring, marked as Santa Row donations, at 119 N. Jackson St., Wilmington, DE 19805.

Contact robin brown at (302) 324-2856 or rbrown@delawareonline.com. Find her on Facebook and follow her on Twitter @rbrowndelaware.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

See a 2-minute video about the Wilmington Rowing Center’s “Santa Row” at http://youtu.be/YmRjfQIusLg.

Learn more about the Wilmington Rowing Center at www.wilmingtonrowing.org.