Captain Tony Day – a member of the Fishermen’s Alliance, with his wife, Rebekah, who raced for Cape Cod Hospital, and son Noah.
By Doreen Leggett
While Formula One go-karts whizzed along a track, and Radar Love blared, emcee Matt Pitta kept up a running commentary for thousands gathered at Mashpee Commons to watch the 23rd annual Seaside Le Mans. Sometimes, he said, he felt like he was at the Superbowl.
“As I walked up to some of the tents they covered their mouths with clipboards,” chuckled Pitta.
“I love it,” said Stephanie Viva, a Cape radio personality helping him keep the crowd entertained. “They take it seriously. They are in it to win it.”
The Le Mans leaderboard of 15 teams kept changing throughout the four-hour race, modeled after the 24-hour race in France. The team from Shepley Wood Products and Andersen Windows ultimately crossed the finish line first on September 7.
The real winners were non-profit beneficiaries: Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen’s Alliance – Small Boats, Big Taste Program for $50,000; Cape Cod Healthcare – Supporting Comprehensive Cancer Treatment and Care for Patients – $100,000; Children’s Cove – Expanding the Teen TASK Force Program – $50,000; Heroes in Transition – Expanding Veteran Services Across Cape Cod – $50,000; Brazilian Resource Center – Providing Opportunities to Promote Spiritual, Mental, and Physical Wellness – $50,000.
John Pappalardo, chief executive officer of the Fishermen’s Alliance, said he was thankful to the community and sponsoring Davenport Companies for the support, which would allow the nonprofit to expand the program it launched during COVID. Using local haddock, skate and clams, a Massachusetts processer and soup maker turns the catch of small-boat fishermen into delicious, nutritious products that go to food banks all over the state.
“It kept fishermen fishing at a time there were no markets for their product,” said Pappalardo. “Our soups are locally sourced, locally produced and locally distributed. We are very proud of that.”
Additional funding will allow the Haddock Chowder, Provencal Fish Stew and Clam Chowder to be introduced to more people in the community who are food insecure, who may be more comfortable getting food from a school or church than a traditional food bank, Pappalardo said.
This year’s Seaside Le Mans raised $300,000 and in the two decades since the inception of the race, more than $9.5 million has been collected and distributed.
Rebekah Day and Mike Bachstein were two of more than 95 drivers who got behind the wheel of race carts that circled the one-quarter mile track set up for the day. Both work for Cape Cod Hospital and had raced before.
“It was super fun. We came in dead last,” said Day with a laugh.
They had determined they were going to race intelligently, quickly, but not fast, and take advantage of the straight aways. They had no intention of being penalized for unruly driving.
“There is a penalty box, exactly like hockey,” said Bachstein.
Winning wasn’t paramount for the two.
“We are about taking care of our community and our visitors,” said Day.
Both knew the Fishermen’s Alliance, Bachstein from the support the hospital’s foundation had given to the Fishermen’s Alliance’s various food security programs and Day because her husband was a captain and had gone through the non-profit’s inaugural Fishermen Training program several years ago.
At the race for the community there were connections everywhere.
Cameron Santos, racing for Cape Cod Five, knew the Fishermen’s Alliance through the bank’s support of educational programs, including Small Boats, Big Science. Santos had been involved in a racing league in the past.
“I’m not too nervous. I’m ready to have fun and raise some money for a good cause,” he said. Cape Cod Five grabbed top spot among the five banks that competed.
Rep. William Keating, D-Falmouth, was grand marshal of the race and credited DeWitt Davenport, CEO of The Davenport Companies and the race’s creator, with its continued success.
“His perseverance has been unbelievable,” said Keating.
“Remember the fact that there are an overwhelming number of fundamental reasons that we should come together in unity, and only a few secondary issues that divide us. Let’s work to keep us together,” Keating added.
Davenport thanked 150 volunteers, numerous business sponsors who turn out every year, and said the race almost didn’t happen decades ago. The inaugural race was four days after 9-11 and Davenport wasn’t sure he should still have it; he was told he should.
“You have to run the race, this is about unity in the community,” Davenport remembered being told. Thanking the military and first responders is a traditional part of the event.
As drivers jockeyed for position during the last laps, Pitta was approached by a young man.
“I was told to talk to you,” he said. “I want to sign up for next year.”
The Davenport Companies underwrites the entire cost of the event and works in partnership with The Cape Cod Foundation to manage sponsorship donations. Every dollar raised goes directly to non-profits.