United Way of Southwest Michigan’s ROCK THE BOAT Presented by Honor Credit Raises Over $45,000

ST. JOSEPH, MI (July 22) – United Way of Southwest Michigan’s ROCK THE BOAT Cardboard Boat Races, Presented by Honor Credit Union, returned to the Inn at Harbor Shores for another great year of racing for a great cause Thursday, July 17, 2025. Nineteen boats from various area organizations and businesses helped bolster a fundraising total of over $45,500,  including sponsorships & crowd-funded donations from participants and spectators, resulting in a 46% increase over last year’s event.

The event featured life-size boats made entirely of cardboard racing in 7 heats in the river channel. Spectators lined the Inn at Harbor Shores’ channel shoreline to enjoy the event, and hundreds enjoyed the livestream on the United Way of Southwest Michigan YouTube & Facebook channels.

The fastest boat winner went to Whirlpool Corporation’s “Knead for Speed,” with the most Creative trophy awarded to Gast Manufacturing’s “Tipsy,” which did, in fact, topple over in the water before even making it to the starting line. The Captain’s Bounty award for the most dollars raised went to Curi RMB Capital St. Joseph with $2,383 raised, while team “Dewey, Sinkem, and Howe” with their boat “Miss Creant” walked away with the trophy for People’s Choice, collecting 43 donors that contributed to their team fundraising campaign total of $1,671.

Anna Murphy, President & CEO of United Way of Southwest Michigan, helped hand out the awards to the participants at the end of the event and said there were smiling faces all around, even if teams didn’t make it past the finish (or the starting) line. “It’s clear the community is absolutely in love with this event. We consider it one of the few ways we can connect with our community members, donors, sponsors, and impact partners all in one place. Getting these groups together to have some fun on the water and laugh is just priceless.” 

All dollars raised by boat registrations, sponsors, and people’s choice votes will stay here in the community to benefit programs and impact partners of United Way of Southwest Michigan, which serves Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties. This was also the biggest year of sponsorship for Rock the Boat, thanks to gifts from organizations like Honor Credit Union.

Honor’s CEO, Scott McFarland, said, "It was incredible to see Rock the Boat raise even more funds this year, knowing that impact will make a real difference for families and individuals across Southwest Michigan. We’re proud to support an event that brings people together and leaves a lasting impact well beyond race day. Giving back to our local communities has always been part of who we are at Honor, and our partnership with United Way of Southwest Michigan is a perfect example of that in action."

Teams participating this year included Ausra Kabota, Holtec Palisades, Honor Credit Union, The Herald-Palladium, four teams from Whirlpool Corporation, Lake Michigan College, Logan Autism Center, Team Dewey, Sinkum & Howe, two teams from Gast Manufacturing, Insurance Management Service, Region IV Area Agency On Aging, Kinexus Group, Curi RMB Capital, Walsworth, and Cook Nuclear Plant.

Rock the Boat was produced by the United Way of Southwest Michigan staff, with planning and execution assistance from Gravity Productions, JV Studios, and Mid-West Family Marketing & Media’s “99.9 Y Country.” The event was emceed by Our Lady of the Lake Athletic Director & WSJM Sports’ Phil McDonald.

The event began as a United Way of Southwest Michigan campaign fundraiser by the Whirlpool Corporation in 2016, with United Way taking over the event in 2024 based on the very successful template of the past by Whirlpool’s employee teams.

The event was patrolled on land and in the water by members of the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department, with assistance from the US Coast Guard St. Joseph Station and St. Joseph Department of Public Safety. The Inn at Harbor Shores donates space for the event to take place, and Brian’s Marina loans safety and boating equipment for the race. Whirlpool’s Advanced Development & Innovation Team provided a new addition to the safety process this year by building a boat return ramp utilizing donated parts and supplies courtesy of Big C Lumber and Godfrey Pontoon Boats. In-kind donations were also given from The Herald-Palladium, Lakeshore Public Schools, and MailMax.

Food trucks participating at the event included Benton Harbor’s “The Brick House” and “Ben’s Pretzels,” as well as Lost Coast Shave Ice, and KT’s Rasoi. The Inn at Harbor Shores also served drinks for the event. All food vendors committed to donate a portion of their sales to United Way of Southwest Michigan.

The event is Presented by Honor Credit Union, with major support from Silver Beach Pizza, Gast Manufacturing, Michigan Works! Berrien, Cass, Van Buren, Whirlpool Corporation, BluCat Consulting, 99.9 Y Country, and JV Studios. Supporting sponsors include the Inn at Harbor Shores, the Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber, Lake Michigan College, and Curi RMB Capital, with additional thanks to United Container Company, Competitive Edge, Brian’s Marina, Pepsi, Gravity Productions, Feeding America West Michigan, Big C Lumber, and Godfrey Pontoon Boats.

About United Way of Southwest Michigan
United Way of Southwest Michigan works to create a united & resilient community where everyone contributes, belongs, and thrives. We harness resources from corporate, nonprofit, and public partners to address our community's most pressing challenges and make lasting change. Join us in giving, advocacy, and volunteering by visiting uwsm.org