Recently, a Steel Expert Was Hired and Is Currently Evaluating What It Will Take to Repair

Greetings,

As you may already be aware, a concerned group of citizens has formed a non-profit organization with the intention of saving the Elkhart River Queen. You may recall that we wrote to you on June 5, 2013 to informyou the Queen had developed some leaks in her hull so in the interest of safety the owner took her out of service. In the summer of 2016 the owner made the decision to send the Queen to the scrap yard. Retired businessman Marly Rydson learned of the Queens impending fate and with a group of concerned citizens formed a non-profit organization intent onsaving the Queen and restoring her to service. The committee led by Mr. Rydson includes Bob Deputy, Dottie Arnold, Bill Marohn and Diana Lawson. Tom Shoff was enlisted to be the project manager.This group was able toraise enough private donations to both purchase the Queen and remove her from the river for inspection and repair. Her removal alone totaled $5,000.00. No one serving on this committee has any interest in being compensated for their part in saving the Queen as they viewed it as a labor of love for the Queen and her history.

Recently, a steel expert was hired and is currently evaluating what it will take to repair the Queen. Brad Miller, President of Elkhart Steel, has agreed to help bring a team of people from Purdue to conduct a radiography scan of the hull to determine the extent of the problems. This group expects to fully repair the Queen and return her to service.

Now we need your help to raise funds needed to complete the needed repairs. Please consider a tax deductible contribution to help “Save the Queen.” The “Save the Queen” committee is asking for donations of any amount. People contributing $100.00 or more will have their name (not their dollar amount) inscribed on a permanent plaque that will hang in the cabin of the Queen. The plaque will read “I Helped Save the Queen.” Those who donate $500.00 or more will receive two tickets to attend a special “Queen Benefactor Inaugural Cruise” includingfood, beverages and entertainment. After repairs are complete, any remaining monies will be placed into an endowment to maintain the Queen. Should the Queen ever becomeinoperable,any remaining funds will convert to the Community Foundation for their use.

On March 13, 2016 a special benefit fundraiser will be held at Sports Time Family Pub and Grill on County Road 17 between 4:00 and 8:00pm. The J.T. Buffett band, sponsored by Fawn Atkinson State Farm, will be providing live entertainment and there will be some raffle drawings.

The Community Foundation has graciously offered to collect and distribute the funds for this project. Please make your tax deductible contribution payable to: Community Foundation Memo on check should say River Queen.

Contributions can be mailed to:

Community Foundation

101 South Main Street

Elkhart, Indiana 46516

For questions about the project: please contact Tom Shoff at 574-293-5530 or email him via or you can contact the Elkhart Community Foundation at 574-295-8761.

Please visit or visit her Facebook page Savethe Queen.

PLEASE HELP US “SAVE THE QUEEN”!