Dean Randazzo's Paddle for a Cause Raises Nearly $100,000

The Dean Randazzo Cancer Foundation raised nearly $100,000 at its ninth annual Paddle For a Cause presented by J&L Amish Depot on Saturday, June 11.

The foundation called it its most successful event to date.

It has collected a little more than $96,000 in donations with funds still being counted, according to the board’s treasurer, Kristi Collins of Somers Point. Each paddler was required to raise $200 to participate in the event.

“It was truly an amazing day at the Golden Nugget,” Past President and Race Director Paul Giunta, of Somers Point, said. “I am very proud to be part of the single biggest fundraising event in the history of the Dean Randazzo Cancer foundation. I am so proud of hard work and dedication that so many of the volunteers have done for the foundation. The wind made for some challenging conditions but overall everyone was safe and we raised a lot of funds that will benefit people with cancer.”

Jonathan Baker of Egg Harbor Township, was the top fundraiser, bringing in more than $9,000.

Karen Grant, of Margate, helped raise just more than $8,000 to finish second.

Mike Hutchings, of Mount Kisco, New York, raised the third most with $7,700.

Ryan Matthews of Asbury Park, had the fastest time overall at 4:07:25. He won the Prone Division. He was 9:30 faster than  last year’s prone winner, Brian Pasternak, of Ocean City.

Quintin Chiapperino, 19, of Saint Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands won the 22.5-mile standup paddleboard race and took second place overall with a time of 4:07:46. 

He beat out three-time winner Sven Peltonen of Atlantic City by a mere seven seconds.

Winners in the 22.5-mile race were presented prize money provided by J&L Amish Depot at the awards ceremony and after party; $1,000 for first, $500 for second and $250 for third in three different divisions; Men’s and Women’s 14’ Stand Up Paddle and Unlimited Prone Paddle.

See TheDRCF.org for information.

The attached images were provided by the Dean Randazzo Foundation:

Photo #1: Racers take off from Frank S. Farley Marina in Atlantic City for a 22.5-mile course around Absecon Island at the 9th annual Paddle for a Cause presented by J&L Amish Depot.

Photo #2: Second-place standup paddleboard finisher Sven Peltonen of Atlantic City, on left, congratulates Quintin Chiapperino, 19, of Saint Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands on his win in the 22.5-mile Paddle For A Cause presented by J&L Amish Depot.

Photo #3: Dean Randazzo Cancer Foundation Ambassador Richard Nugent of Margate and Past President and Race Director Paul Giunta of Somers Point award Quintin Chiapperino, 19, of Saint Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands with a $1,000 check for his win in the 22.5-mile Paddle For A Cause presented by J&L Amish Depot.