Easter Seals Day on the Bay

There are some rewards you just can’t win on the race course, but are available to everyone who sails the Bay. Beyond the regular activities of running races, organizing cruises and connecting folks in the general revelry surrounding sailing, most yacht clubs also find other ways of giving back to their local community. One such effort is run each summer by Corinthian YC. Under the leadership of Corinthian YC member and BAADS sailor Herb Meyer, the Club hosted its annual Day on the Bay for families served by Easter Seals of Northern California.

For the 10th running of the event, more than 30 boats were volunteered by their owners to take children and adults with disabilities and special needs out on the water for a dose of nautical fun. From humble beginnings, the event has now grown to become one of the most memorable sailing days for Easter Seals participants as well as for members of both the Corinthian and San Francisco YCs. By all accounts, the event is a win/win, as it gives club members an opportunity to offer service to people facing great challenges in life, while also exposing them to the remarkable, positive attitude of those challenged with disabilities, and to the hard work done by their caregivers, who focus not just on the special needs, but also on the abilities of their charges.

The event included over 30 boats and crew, breakfast and lunch for over 200 people, plus a Coast Guard safety demonstration off CYC. Judging by the smiles on the faces of both volunteers and participants, this Day on the Bay yielded rewards for all involved. If your club or organization hosts a similar worthy event, drop us a line, as we’d like to highlight other events created by sailors to help the local community.