The Treasure Coast Youth Sailing Foundation celebrated the successful conclusion of the second sailing summer with a BBQ at Jaycee Park. The event was sponsored by Riverside Bank, and included the now-seasoned sailors who graduated from this summer's classes, their families, plus all the sponsors and volunteers who helped to make this summer's classes successful.
Donna Greene, Asst VP and Branch Manager for Riverside Bank, hosted the event, and provided an incredible meal despite the tumultuous weather that threatened to ruin the day. Donna even enlisted the help of her husband, Bob Greene, as grillmaster extraordinaire! Jaye Melanson, head instructor for the 2008 sailing classes, planned the games and sailing for the kids. A thunderstorm cut some of the plans short, but most waited out the rain and continued with the day's fun.
This is the second season of sailing classes held on the Indian River Lagoon by the Treasure Coast Youth Sailing Foundation. Over 100 kids ages 8 to 13 have now graduated from either the beginner 2-week class, or the intermediate 1-week class added this year. The Foundation is sponsored by the Fort Pierce Yacht Club. It's mission is to help the children of the Treasure Coast learn to sail while enjoying the incredible environment we have the pleasure of living with here in paradise. The kids learn the basics of sailing with instruction under the Jaycee Park pavilion, and then have 'hands-on' time sailing one-person Opti sailboats on the Lagoon. The boats were funded by founding members of the TCYSF which included both local businesses as well as members of the FPYC. Scholarships for underprivileged kids were also funded by volunteers and members of the TCYSF and the FPYC. Adult sailing classes are also available through the FPYC.
The Treasure Coast Youth sailing Foundation is a 501©(3) corporation. Summer classes for 2009 will be available for enrollment in January, 2009, and will begin in June once the school year is complete. For more information, check the web site at tcysf.homestead.com.