Win a 2006 Malibu and Help Fight Cancer

The requested $20 donation could symbolize a new Malibu boat in the driveway, the chance to find a cure for cancer or both. Malibu Boats is giving away a 2006 vRide at the American Cancer Society Relay for Life event on April 29th in Merced, CA. No matter what you see when you open your wallet, thanks to the Malibu Boats 2006 vRide Sweepstakes, you will never look at twenty bucks the same way again.

THE CAUSE

Last year cancer was diagnosed more than 200,000 times and claimed more than 40,000 lives. Those statistics sound staggering, especially considering that most people’s involvement with the fight against cancer begins with just one diagnosis.  Malibu  ’s quest to find a cure began with the cancer diagnosis of two well-loved employees, Becky Sewell and Kathy Anderson. Their untimely deaths prompted Malibu Boats employee-owners to wage their own battle against cancer four years ago. Taking the lead from these two determined women, the  Malibu  family has continued the fight to improve awareness and increase funding for cancer research.

Since the bell rang on this knock-down-drag-out match more Malibu family members have been diagnosed and adversely affected by the disease. These developments have strengthened the resolve of the Malibu Boats cancer fighters. They refuse to sit still and watch this disease steal anymore of their loved ones. As a company they have come together and applied the Malibu Difference to their fundraising efforts.

“Almost everybody we know has some loved one who is either dealing with cancer, or has been lost to cancer,” said Heidi Verna, Team Malibu Relay for Life Event Director and HR Manager for Malibu Boats. “It hits home for so many people and it is our love for family we have lost, and those still fighting, that keeps us raising money."

The Commitment

Since 2003, Malibu employees have donated a total of $60,500 for the American Cancer Society – $28,000 of this total was raised last year alone. Malibu ’s Relay For Life Team Members are striving to double that total this year with the addition of the Malibu Boats 2006 vRide Sweepstakes.
The year was 1989 when Kathy joined the Malibu team in Tennessee. 'What a boat builder!' recalls, John Sisson, VP of Operations. 'She out-worked most of the guys in lamination.' Kathy and Malibu were a perfect fit. Kathy worked in many different departments throughout the plant and she was an asset to the company in each of those areas. She earned the title of Customer Service Manager and thanks to her level of boat building experience; she did a phenomenal job in that position. No matter what the task, Kathy was integral to Malibu and to each of her coworkers. The same positive attitude and determination that Kathy brought to work allowed her to wage a battle against cancer. With the support if her husband Chuck and her family, Kathy stood strong against the disease. She inspired to the entire Malibu family as well as everyone she met. When asked about Kathy, Sisson replied 'I loved her like a sister! I still see her infectious smile and intense work ethic in the people she inspired here.' Kathy passed away on November 19th, following a lengthy battle with cancer. The determination she showed during that fight was one of the qualities her friends, family and co-workers will never forget about her. Her spirit of commitment extended to her personal life also, where she gave her time willingly to her community, her church and to the fight against cancer. Kathy is another person the people of Malibu Boats draw from when they are searching for strength. She is another reason they fight for a cure.
“Malibu Boats is a family-oriented company. That doesn’t just mean that we support the families of our employees,” explained Mike Sanchez, Event Director of Malibu ’s Annual Golf Tournament and Manager of the Malibu Boats Customer Service Department. “Whether you are a dealer or a retail customer, you are family. And when someone in our family is hurting we help. In this case, we are coming together as a family and fighting for a cure.”

Money has been raised through Malibu’s participation in American Cancer Society events, like the Relay for Life, and Malibu initiated events like the Annual Malibu Boats Golf Tournament, teeing off on April 8, 2006 in Atwater, CA . Malibu has pulled off some fundraisers as simple as donating and some events that require months of planning. This year employee-owners decided to kick the Malibu Difference into high gear by organizing and participating in three major fundraising events. These events include the 2nd Annual Malibu Golf Tournament, The Malibu Boats Sweepstakes boat give-a-way and the Kathy Anderson Relay for Life.

Malibu Boats has also partnered with Kathy Lassen, the wife of Malibu ’s International Sales Manager and a cancer survivor, to perpetuate cancer awareness. Through the sale of jeweled Malibu t-shirts more funds for the fight are being raised. Visit http://www.GotCancerShirts.com to fold Malibu Boats and the fight for a cure into your wardrobe.

Enter the Malibu Boats Sweepstakes at www.malibuboats.com and show your support for this great cause.