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Sail Connecticut Access Program
Member Sailing Day, Saturday July 19, 2008
Four times a year SCAP holds a "Member Sailing Day."
This is a special day, usually on a Saturday from 9:30AM to 2:30PM,
when the members are invited to sail, but also to socialize, enjoy
a free lunch and spend time with other people with disabilities
and special needs.
That is the nature of the organization,
SCA or SCAP, which provides the sailing experience to people with
physical or emotional challenges in life. The program in CT is
patterned after a national organization with several state entities.
Some of the SCA members come from home in their specially equipped
cars for wheelchairs, and others come with their family members.
Still others are transported by the facility in which they live.
This year Catalina 36 Fleet 5 sponsored
this event, supplying the hotdogs, ham bergs, chips, watermelon,
and homemade desserts. Ten members of the fleet volunteered their
time to setup, cook, serve, help with the boats, sail and finally
clean up.
The day was a huge success with all the
positive comments and smiles from the clients, who were able to
ride, steer, trim sails, and work the lines of the boats.
Mother Nature cooperated with "Sun
and Wind" as each boat left the dock. SCA has three boats,
two donated and designed by Catalina Yachts, and one donated by
a patron. The skipper and First Mate were able bodies' persons,
and six passengers filled the boat. Seven trips were made this
Sunday, and everyone took turns when they wanted to "experience
the wind in their face" and the waters of Duck Island Rhodes,
off Westbrook, CT. The docking and slips are donated by Pilot's
Point Marina of Westbrook.
SCA operates 7 days/week, from spring to
fall, out of Pilot's Point South Marina. There is a permanent
Skipper paid with granted funds who may be scheduled by a member
of SCA for any day for a ride.
SCA is in its 20th year and provided annually
2,000 individual sailing experiences for their members. They are
a non-profit organization which if funded by membership fees,
donations, and grants. It is volunteer-driven with no administrative
staff or offices. The Board consists of dedicated volunteers.
We would like to thank Fleet 5 members,
Bob and Marilyn Clark, Joanne and Joe Albano, Jim and Melissa
Meador, and Frank and Ariella Strafacci for the time they gave
to help make this event a success. A special thanks to Catalina
36 Fleet 5 for the monetary donation to cover the food and supplies
for the day.
"A little give back goes more than a long way."
Fondly, John and Linda Reilly
Some feedback from Joanne Albano
Some Pictures:
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