The winner of the second annual FFMD (Fishing for Muscular Dystrophy) Everglades raffle, Arthur Deutcsh, officially took ownership of his new 243cc at the Everglades facility on December 12. Captain Paul Robertson, the founder of FFMD, joined Arthur and his friend Brady Dugan on an exclusive tour of the facility. Several members of the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) executive team were also in attendance for the official handoff, and to thank Robertson and Everglades for their partnership in the fight against neuromuscular diseases.

“This collective effort helps us fund innovations in science and research,” said Adam Cotumaccio, EVP, Chief Impact and Philanthropy Officer at the MDA. “We send almost four thousand children to camp every year. The reason we’re able to pay one hundred percent of that is because of the commitment of companies such as Everglades and [their partnership with] FFMD.”

FFMD is strategically aligned with the MDA. Three years ago, Robertson’s 501(c)(3) organization joined forces with Everglades Boats to increase awareness, and his efforts are paying off. Deutcsh heard about this year’s raffle online, when FFMD shared social posts as they travelled from Ocean City, Maryland to Destin, Florida for an Everglades event.

“So much of it is awareness,” Deutcsh said. “What got me putting into the raffle was I went to a mud run in Denver for my friend’s mom, who has MS. I haven’t had anybody in my family who has MD, or MS, so I never thought about it. Then I did the mud run, and it hits home, “Holy cow, I know this woman,” so you start looking at charitable events. It’s all about getting it out there. If I don’t do the mud run, if you [FFMD] don’t drive to Destin, someone like me doesn’t know.”

Following the tour of the facility, Robertson handed Deutcsh the keys to his new 243cc, dubbed “Flippy” in honor of the nickname given to Deutcsh by his fishing mates. All that was left to do was make the long haul back to New Orleans, where Deutcsh says he will launch Flippy for the first time.

About Everglades Boats
Everglades Boats is an industry leader in premium offshore fishing boats. Founded in 1997 by boating industry legend and former Boston Whaler executive, Robert J. (Bob) Dougherty, and owned today by Grand Crossing Capital, Chicago IL, Everglades revolutionized the boat building industry with the invention of the RAMCAP process for one-piece, unsinkable hulls. Everglades has received numerous industry awards and an unparalleled reputation for superior safety, performance and quality. For more information about Everglades Boats, please visit evergladesboats.com or contact Shane Kwaterski at kwaterski@evergladesboats.com.

About Fishing for Muscular Dystrophy
FFMD was created in 2015 by Paul Robertson. The team's mission is to help increase research funding and awareness of neuromuscular diseases. Profits from tournament winnings are donated to the MDA. To learn more about FFMD, visit www.FishingForMD.com.