Dr. Cool Brings $25,000 to Table for Local Olympic Hopefuls Mimi Roller and Kayla McComb at Eco Serendib Fundraiser

 

Roller and McComb, sitting center, with their supporters at Eco Serendib.

Rendezvous Bay — A recent fundraising feast held at Eco Serendib Villa and Spa, a luxurious, eco-friendly St. John retreat, netted $30,000 for local sailors Mayumi “Mimi” Roller and Kayla McComb in their pursuit of the 2016 Olympics.

The largest contribution, $25,000, came from Dr. Cool, a local air conditioning and appliance business based on St. John. Roller and McComb hope to represent the U.S. Virgin Islands in the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in the newly evolved 49erFX class.

Dr. Cool, a subsidiary of U.S. Facilities, has been serving the U.S. Virgin Island’s air conditioning and kitchen appliance needs since 1999, offering the finest products and service. Contributions such as this one, however, are what truly set the company apart.

“Giving back locally is a vital part of Dr. Cool’s commitment to St. John,” said Jim Dobrowolski, President and CEO of U.S. Facilities. “We are proud members of the USVI community and having our flag on the world stage at the Rio Olympics would be an amazing honor.”

“We salute Mimi and Kayla in their efforts and lend our heartfelt support,” said Gary David, general manager of Dr. Cool. “The Roller family embodies the spirit of hard work and dedication through their family farming business on St. John. Mimi demonstrates this same spirit which will serve her well as she pursues her dream and represents the USVI on the world stage.”

“It is a privilege to support these talented young women in their Olympic quest,” said Harith Wickrema, developer of Eco Serendib Villa and Spa, who coordinated the event with the Roller family. “Jim is exceedingly generous and we are thankful to the chefs as well as the other contributors who made this event a success.”

“It is our hope that they will not only represent the Virgin Islands proudly but also help put a spotlight on the pristine natural beauty of St. John and our green message, encouraging visitors to see it for themselves,” said Wickrema. “Mimi represented the islands at the London Olympics, let’s all support her so the USVI flag can be seen by millions in 2016!”

Three top chefs on the island, Executive Chef Andy Marcellin of Starfish Market, Executive Chef and Proprietor Livio Leoni of da Livio Ristorante Italiano and Executive Chef and Proprietor Erica Miner of The Terrace Restaurant donated their time, considerable talents and the finest ingredients to the event.

“We are so touched by the support of Jim Dobrowolski and Dr. Cool, Harith Wickrema, the chefs and all those who attended and contributed,” said Mayumi Roller. “We cannot succeed without sponsorship and we are honored to have this backing.”

Roller and her sailing partner estimate that they will need approximately $140,000 a year to complete their campaign.

Roller, a native of St. John, competed in the Summer Olympic Games in 2012 in the United Kingdom. Her partner, Kayla McComb, originally hailing from Newport Beach, California, moved down to the Virgin Islands to pursue her Olympic dreams with Mimi. Both sailors attended St. Mary’s College of Maryland where together they led the St. Mary’s Varsity Sailing Team to a combined total of seven podium finishes at Singlehanded, Match Racing, Team Racing and both Women’s and Coed Fleet Racing National Championships.

To donate or learn more about Roller and McComb’s Olympic efforts, view their website at www.mksailing.com or email them at rollermccombsailing@gmail.com.