Mercer Island Rowing Club raised $60,000 at its Row for MI inaugural fundraiser on Oct. 5 at the Mercer Island Beach Club.

The event, which featured a silent auction, paddle raise, cocktails and appetizers, helped the newly-formed club pass the halfway mark of its $250,000 fundraising goal. According to the club, “this round of funding is essential for our initial summer program in 2026 as well as our ability to launch an ongoing rowing program.”

Funds will go toward equipment, facilities and safety- and administrative-related expenses to get the club rolling and sustaining it well into the future, according to a previous Reporter article.

First up in the speakers’ portion of the event was American rower Pieter Quinton, who won a bronze medal at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris as part of the men’s eight boat; followed by club founder and president Lauren Alexander, who gave a rundown of the club’s beginnings and goals; Mercer Island youth rowers Sam and Duncan Poole with Pocock Youth Rowing, who discussed why rowing matters to them and the community; and Cameron Janes, a member of a Brown University hall of fame rowing team, who spoke of how rowing has played a transformative role in his life.

In the silent auction realm, the highlight items were steward tent tickets to the world-famous Henley Royal Regatta rowing event, held annually in Henley-on-Thames in England. The raffle included an opportunity to name a boat, oars and a Mercer Island business victory basket.

Drinks included the Pimm’s cup, which is considered the official signature drink of the Henley Royal Regatta.

For more information about the club, visit: https://www.mercerislandrowingclub.org/