A Chance To Make a Donation to a Worthwhile Cause – CRAB
Recently I have spent some time thinking about how I can be of more service to the community, not only by participating in events I believe in, but also using my blog as an opportunity to help better fund these worthwhile causes.
When I was Head Sailing Instructor at the Croton Sailing School and E.A.S.T. Sailing Academy five years ago, I had the wonderful opportunity to teach a bright-eyed twelve year-old named Shannon how to sail. Shannon was one of my best students and was willing to work harder than everyone else despite a birth defect leaving her with no fingers on her left hand. Never once did I hear her complain that the weather was too rough, the task too hard, or any number of many common complaints I have heard while teaching adults and children how to sailing for close to ten years.
I have been thinking about Shannon quite a bit, and realize she has motivated me to help anyone who is physically or mentally disabled or simply do not have the financial mobility to learn one of the greatest passions I have been given access to learn.
Starting today, The Blog of Dustin Schmidt will be donating 25% of all contributions we recieve from donations to Chesapeake Region Accessible Boating (CRAB), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to making the thrill of sailing a reality for physically and/or developmentally-challenged individuals and for those individuals whose financial circumstances preclude their participation in recreation on the waters of Chesapeake Bay.
CRAB was founded in 1991 as an offshoot of the National Ocean Access Project of Newport, Rhode Island.
The organization is principally staffed and run by volunteers, though three positions – Executive Director, Program Director, and Administrative Assistant – are nominally compensated. The Executive Director is full-time, the latter two staff positions are part-time and/or seasonal.
Volunteers, as well as the ED and PD, participate in every aspect of the program’s operation, including maintaining the fleet, assisting individual sailors, work with school and other groups, serving as skippers, crewmembers and dockhands during the monthly “Sail Free” events. Volunteers also perform clerical functions, including newsletters, membership, fundraising and grant writing.
In the spirit of transparency, a receipt will be sent to you showing the distribution of funds from your donation and we will regularly track the progress we make towards our goal of raising $5,000 by the end of 2010.
Thank you for spreading the gift of sailing!
By Dustin at
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