Heart of Sailing Foundation

Parent's initial impressions upon arrival at a similar event

Michael:

Awsome, I never thought it would be like this, we were completely at ease from the start. It is rare for our children to be welcomed with such warmth and consideration.

Carla:

Everyone was helpful, enthusiastic, very nice.

Michelle:

Everyone was very friendly and social.

Launching Indianapolis Regional Program on Geist Reservoir, Friday July 15th from the Bella Vita docks.

authorHOUSE, one of our sponsors, is helping us plan and prepare this event to be a success for all participants and volunteers.

AtGeist.com, The Geist Reservoir Website. Tom Britt is helping us securing the BellaVita Ristorante, the help of the Geist Marina and some of the media coverage.

The event will begin at 9:00 a.m. and will conclude at approximately 1:00 p.m.

An outline of the day's events:

Photo by James Klaunig Jr. IDS

9:00 a.m. Welcome and registration of all skippers, crews, volunteers and participants.

9:15 a.m. Safety and sailing instructions.

9:45 a.m. Participants climb on board with skippers and crew members, raise the sails and prepare to set sail.

10:00 a.m. Our inaugural sail will depart.

11:00 a.m. Welcome guests, speakers and media.

11:30 a.m. Sailboats return to dock. Welcome the participants and take individual and group pictures.

11:45 a.m. More pictures, distribution of gifts, awards and certificates to the participants.

12:00 p.m. Lunch and beverages provided by BellaVita Ristorante to guests, participants, media and press, volunteers and skippers.

Distribution of door prizes to the guests.

Photo by James Klaunig Jr. IDS

1:00 p.m. Guests, participants and sailors are welcome to stay and socialize.

Please watch for the Heart of Sailing signs indicating the route from I69, Fall Creek, the Geist Marina and where to park when arriving at the Marina.

Photo by Ron J. Hines

What the same parents said after a similar event

Michael:

She was empowered by the ability to sail the boat, she may never get to have the freedom of driving a car, but I believe that she will always remember driving that sailboat.

Carla:

This is something he probably would have never done otherwise. Listening, following directions, feeling confident driving…all of these are so beneficial for him. And just experiencing the beautiful day out on the water, sails in the wind, sun in his eyes, waves hitting the boat….

Michelle:

Andrew had a wonderful time and will always remember his Daysail. He has his certificate framed and hanging in his room along with this hat and medal. He enjoys showing everyone his medal. Andrew remembers every child's name that he
met that day. It was a great social event for him.

Thanks to our sponsors:

BellaVita Ristorante for letting us use their facilities and catering.

Bryan Smith, Herb Senft, Dave McCauley and all volunteers from authorHOUSE for planning and preparing our 'Maiden Voyage'

Tom Britt, Pam Evans, Kim Laughlin from AtGeist.com for helping us securing sponsors and media.

Ken Duckwall from the Geist Marina for providing a motor boat for the event.

Jami Thompson, from authorHOUSE helping us coordinate this event.

Peter Klauning from Inside Out Productions provided the video recording.

Jennifer Pol from A Friend of Mine! provided the professional children photographs.

Raymond and Renee Saidah from The Light Source for donating door prizes.

West Marine of Castleton for providing the life jakets and door prizes

Sailboat, Inc. for loaning us a motor for our sailboat and helping prepare it.

Thanks to our volunteers:

Amber Small, SaDonna White, Cassia and Kyle Wolfe , Michelle Shank, Byron Gully, Mendy Hendrix, Mary Fridland, Guy Konkle, Fred Davis, Jerry Lyst, John Spencer and Tramontini Vernon.