Friends Kayak From Baltimore To Ocean City To Raise Money In Popular Bar Owner's Memory
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- While there are countless ways to raise money for charity, sometimes it takes a wacky idea to get people to open their wallets.
Mike Schuh reports a fundraiser began Monday morning at the waterfront in Canton.
Four years ago, Scunny McCusker, the popular owner of Nacho Mama's, twice paddled his kayak to Ocean City to raise money for his favorite charity. A little more than a year ago, McCusker died.
Before dawn Monday, just a few blocks south of his bar, spirits were high.
Everyone who was there works in a bar and is a friend of McCusker.
Six kayaks were all lined up, plus one towed behind. It's the missing man, representing Scunny McCusker.
The mission is simple.
"He passed away about a year ago so we're going to redo his original route," said "Delaware Dave" Powell, Nacho Mama's bartender.
It will be a 175 mile trip.
"From right here in Canton to Ocean City," said Powell.
"It's going to be a backbreaker, that's for sure. A lot of Advil," said Jason Mislan, organizer.
McCusker raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for the children's medical charity, Believe in Tomorrow.
"It's being done in his memory and being done to raise money for Believe in Tomorrow," said Brian Morrison, Believe in Tomorrow.
They do have a safety and supply boat following them, but no hotels, resorts or B&Bs.
"It's pretty much us until we get there. After we leave here today, we're on our own," said Powell.
"Finding land and getting in for the night, that's my biggest fear," said Beth Roche, C&R Pub general manager.
They will kayak for six days, in all weather, raising a lot of money.
"Get out there. It's going to be a lot of fun. It's going to be a long day today, long five or six days. End of the trip we'll have raised $50,000 for Believe in Tomorrow," said Powell.
"It shows how much the city gets behind something they believe in," said Roche. "Believe in Tomorrow was something that Scunny was very passionate for and his passions didn't died. His passion is inside of us now."
May the wind be at your back, a gentle smiling guardian angel named Scunny safely guiding you to Ocean City.
