Let’s start with this: Chamber Day 2024 is Wednesday, May 1.
The website is up and running at
www.chamberday.org and we're ready and waiting for you to sign up for this fabulous and fun annual event.
It’s also important to remind you that every dollar raised from this event goes directly towards funding our Chamber for the coming year. The Chamber relies on our diving community for roughly 50% of the annual operating funds. Chamber Day is not only a vital fund-raiser for our Chamber, but is also the largest single-day scuba charity event in the U.S. and we’re hoping you’ll help us make this one another resounding success.
THE HISTORY OF CHAMBER DAY
Although the Chamber opened October 5, 1974, and had the first treatment a week later, by the mid-80s there was regular talk of L.A. County removing their funding, which might have caused our Chamber to close. In 1988, loss of funding seemed imminent. Roger Hess, owner of Charisma Charters and the Father of Chamber Day, came up with the idea of all of the local boats getting together on a single specified day to go diving over at Catalina and tour the Chamber, with all the proceeds donated to the operating account of our Chamber. Thus, Chamber Day was born. The first event was held in June of 1988 and raised a little over $15,000.
In the years since, the event has grown tremendously, both in scope and participation. (It also moved to always being the first Wednesday in May.) In 1991, we added a raffle. In 1998 we added Chamber Eve, the Flying Dutchman, and the Chamber Challenge. In 2020, as a response to the pandemic, we added Virtual Chamber Eve.
The financial success of the event has increased as well. From our humble beginnings, we passed $50,000 raised in the 90s. We made it past $100,000 for the first time in 2006. We passed $150,000 in 2021. And we are now within striking distance of the event raising $200,000 for our Chamber. We can do it with your help.
Here’s what we have planned for 2024:
CHAMBER DAY
Once again, we want to take you diving and touring.
We’ve got seven boats ready to plop you into underwater SoCal on May 1. In alphabetical order they are: Giant Stride, Liberty (free-diving), Pacific Moon, Pacific Star, SoCal Diver, Sundiver, and Sundiver Express. We’ll have 119 boat diver spots this year.
All of our May 1 boats will do two dives as well as a walking tour of our Chamber. Some boats will do the tour first and then dive. Others will do their dives and then come in for the tour. All participating divers will receive a Chamber Day 2024 t-shirt, ten daytime raffle tickets, food and an airfill on the boat, and a walking tour of our Chamber facilities, which will include a chance to talk with various rescue and first-responders. The cost remains at $150 total, which breaks down as $110 going to the event and $40 going back to the boats to help with their expenses. Generally, the boats leave their respective docks at 7AM and return no later than 5:30PM.
THE FLYING DUTCHMAN – FOR THOSE WHO CAN’T TAKE THE DAY OFF
We know not everyone can play hooky on a Wednesday and go diving. We also know that some of you simply don’t like diving cold water anymore. And that’s why we’ve got the Flying Dutchman, our mythical boat that lets you “dive” Chamber Day without actually having to take off work or go in the water. And we’re holding the price for the Dutchman at $95. You’ll get the unique Flying Dutchman t-shirt (only available to those who sign up for the Dutchman - we're still finalizing the design of the logo for the shirt) along with 10 daytime raffle tickets as well as a ticket for the “on-board” boat raffle as well. When you sign up, give us your “pirate” name and also indicate your regular shop/club affiliation (we’ll post a running tally – there’s also an “unaffiliated” option) and you’re good to go.
CHAMBER CHALLENGE
This is a major factor in our record-setting totals and a key to the financial success of the event. Every Challenge donation – big, small, and in-between – makes a difference. That being said, we give special recognition to $1,000, $5,000, and $10,000 donations. (And new this year is a $15,000 level. Any takers???) Companies that offer matching grants help increase the value of your contribution. We absolutely appreciate – and need – the help and every donation will be put to good use.
Mark your calendar for Wednesday, May 1 and Chamber Day & Eve 2024.
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