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Youth Program Receives Grant

In August, West Marine announced the 29 youth boating nonprofit organizations that received $1,500 checks from its BlueFuture Fund™. Hundreds of youth boating organizations throughout the country had been nominated for the first allocation of the BlueFuture Fund™ grants.

Set up in 2015, West Marine’s BlueFuture Fund supports marine conservation, sustainable fisheries, and youth boating. On June 8, a percentage of all sales at West Marine were donated to the BlueFuture Fund, totaling $70,000.

The Alameda Community Sailing Center was among the grant recipients. "We are delighted to receive this grant," says Kame Richards, board president of ACSC. "This summer we have put 140 kids out on the water for a total of 9,800 hours of wear and tear on our JY Trainers and CFJs, not including the hours added to our safety boat fleet. This money will be split between scholarships for our deserving youth and maintenance of our fleet. It has come at an exceptionally good time for us."

That’s a big check!

© Marianne Armand

The donation was presented at ACSC’s season-end sail and BBQ. "It was the day that the kids took their parents out for a sail to show them what they learned this summer," said volunteer Marianne Armand. "The kids were so cute showing off their new skills to their parents who tried not to look uncomfortable crammed into a little JY trainer. Thankfully, the breeze was light enough that there wasn’t a lot of capsizing."

"We have just finished up our third Summer Youth Sailing Camp — two-week camps for ages 8 to 18," said Richards. "Through these camps we work to develop confidence, leadership, teamwork and self-reliance, and empower the students to realize what is possible when they try."

Happy campers and their instructors at ACSC.

© Kame Richards

"Our physical facility has undergone a dramatic change that has to be seen to be believed," said Richards. "Our sailing fleet now consists of seven CFJs (and one International FJ), 12 JY Trainers, a Laser and a Byte. Our support boat fleet is two Whalers, two Caribe RIBs, and a 21-ft Zodiac RIB. Our yard itself is covered with fence-to-fence carpet so the kids can do somersaults when the urge arises. We have four 20-ft containers for storage, office and work space. We have created a classroom by placing 40-ft long trusses across the space between two containers, and covering the trusses with recycled sails."

ACSC’s weekend Adult Sailing Program continues through the fall, with the next session beginning on October 17. Volunteers and donations are always welcome. For more information about Alameda Community Sailing Center, see www.sailalameda.org/ACSC or call (510) 629-9282.

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