Autism One
National Conference
Executive Director George Saidah along with volunteers Amber
Burton Small and Jim Gilster attended the Autism One National Conference at the
Westin-O’Hare the weekend of May 25-27.
The theme of this year’s conference, one of the largest of its kind in
the world, was Roadmap to Recovery. Nearly 70 exhibitors represented diverse
companies and not-for-profit organizations offering information and resources
in areas of biomedical treatment, education, therapy, and legal resources. In addition to approximately 150 featured
presentations from such noted experts as Dr. Andrew Wakefield and and Dr.
Martha Herbert, attendees could attend workshops and roundtable discussions or
be connected with a Mentor Mom. HoS
Executive Director George Saidah and Program Director Amber Burton Small
presented their special feature, The
Benefits of Sailing Therapy on Saturday, May 26, 2007. The conference was an excellent opportunity
to network with other providers, spread awareness about our Daysail Program and
make connections for new regions for expansion. There were attendees from across the country as well as Canada
and France. Several attendees expressed
interest in starting chapters in Chicago, Milwaukee, Portland, Oregon and Long
Island, New York. Our thanks to our
new friends, including Anthony Morgali, Eric Hamblen, Bonnie Bromeyer, and Mary
Webster. Special thanks to Dr. F.
Edward and Maureen Yazbak, as well as Ed and Teri Arranga.
HOS Booth at
Conference
SUMMER
DAYSAILS
The summer of 2007 was another season of tremendous growth
for Heart of Sailing, with launches of Chapters in several new locations
including: Panama City, Florida; Boston; Montreal, Quebec; Portland, Oregon; Tuckerton,
New Jersey; and Tacoma, Washington.
Chapter Development also continued with events in Houston;
Long Beach Island, New Jersey; and several locations in California.
The new Chapter in Boston is the result of cooperation with
Courageous Sailing, a self-sustaining educational program that promotes
positive life skills and values through the sport of sailing. Courageous
Sailing is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and a partner of the city of Boston, with
facilities located on spectacular Boston Harbor.
This season also saw the start of our Canadian
organization, Au Coeur De La Voile,
with 2 sites in Montreal, Quebec. The
English chapter is affiliated with YNot Sailing at Baie D’Urfe, while the
French Chapter is located at the Club Nautique Deux Montagnes. Development of the website for the Canadian
organization continues. Please visit www.aucoeurdelavoile.org.
The season launch of our New Jersey chapter garnered fresh
media coverage as well as new participants & interest. Captain Andy Matthews continues to volunteer
his time and boat, and we welcome Captain John Coyle who took many participants
sailing from the Tuckerton Seaport Site with Whitecap, a 1924 wooden sloop
recently restored completely. Read the
article at http://www.heartofsailing.org/GretchenFCoyle.asp.
HOS RECEIVES 2 BOAT DONATIONS
Heart of Sailing has received
new additions to our fleet. Gecko, a
25’ Dragonfly donated by Dr. Dale Davison and his family. Located in Panama City, Florida, the Gecko
is a lightweight composite trimaran, with a draught of only 14 inches.
HOS also received Whitecap a
Cal 25’ donated by Nancy Young in memory of Kendall C. Young for its Southern
California chapters. HOS now has 2
boats in its California fleet, with locations in Ventura & Dana Point.
George
and Nancy on Whitecap
WELCOME ABOARD
Chapter
Director, Captain David “Dave” McCabe &
Chapter
Director, Eric Hamblen
Welcome
to Captain Dave McCabe, Chapter Director for the Houston-Galveston region.
Dave, a licensed captain, began sailing more than 60 years ago around Long
Island, New York, and has completed Trans-Atlantic crossings. As an
astronautical engineer working in the Air Force and NASA, he and his family
moved to the Houston area 40 years ago. Dave is also the owner of Blue Marlin
Sailing School which provides sailing lessons and charters in Galveston Bay
& the Gulf of Mexico; he also charters in numerous exotic spots of the
Caribbean. Dave and his best friend Margie, wife of 44 years, are the proud
parents of 3 children and 6 grandchildren.
Eric Hamblen is serving as Chapter Director for the new Portland area
Daysail program. Eric is also a
co-founder and Program Director of PACE Inc and PACE
Place, a unique family-centered immersion therapy for children with Autism Spectrum
Disorders and their families. Eric has
worked with children with ASD since 1985 and has completed RDITM Certification. Eric’s professional experience also includes
the UCLA Clinic for the Behavioral Treatment of Children under the direction of
Dr. Ivar Lovaas.
As Program Director at PACE,
Eric has provided consultations and training to families and professionals all
over the world and has presented at international seminars.
Eric’s passion is
combining social learning with the outdoors. Eric enjoys facilitating
recreational adventures for children and their families such as camping,
backpacking, and experiencing challenge courses. Heart of Sailing’s successful Daysail program is a perfect
collaboration.
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD
Heart of
Sailing awarded its first annual Volunteer
of the Year award to Guy Konkle. Guy has volunteered with Heart of Sailing
since our inaugural sailing season in 2005.
Guy captains weekly Daysails on Geist Reservoir in Indianapolis and
joined Founder George Saidah for Daysails in California in July &
August. Special Thanks to Crown Trophy
for their donation of the award as well as the Heart of Sailing medals given to
our participants.
SPECIAL
OLYMPICS
Heart
of Sailing, is pleased to announce preparations for a sailing clinic in
conjunction with Indiana Special Olympics to be held on October 7, 2007 at Lake
Monroe.
This
is the premiere cooperative event hosted by Heart of Sailing and Indiana
Special Olympics. Sailing regattas have
historically been included annually in Special Olympics athletics competitions
in coastal regions, but have not previously been part of the Indiana Special
Olympics competitions.
In
anticipation of the competitive event, Heart of Sailing will be hosting sailing
clinics to teach sailing to youth with developmental disabilities and special
needs. The instructional clinics will
be held at three (3) separate locations:
Geist Reservoir, Monroe Reservoir and Lake Lemon. The clinics will provide basic sailing and
navigation training to prepare those interested in participating in the Regatta. The sailing clinics will involve 20 special
needs youths and 20 sailboats with volunteers to assist with the training.
Training
will culminate the day of the Regatta, with family and friends invited to view
the race, enjoy a picnic as well as an optional Daysail. Regatta participants will also receive
special recognition.
Heart of Sailing and Special
Olympics are accepting sponsors for the event, hoping to raise $25,000 to fund
further Daysails for Indiana’s special needs youth.
DONORS/SPONSORS
Thanks to those who have recently contributed to Heart of Sailing’s
Daysail Program. Special thanks to:
Sail (Proud), Smile Promotions, Shean Law Offices, PACE Inc &
PACE Place, State Farm Insurance – Steve Oleksiw, Tuckerton Seaport, Courageous
Sailing Center, mdt International, IRL, Island Sailing Center, Pepermint Ridge,
Sailboat Inc, Ynot Sailing, Saramac, CTR Construction.
John & Cheryl Shean, Dr. Dale, Kim & Rob Davison, Jay &
Mary Pat Zebroski, Nancy Young, Eric & Kathy Hamblen, Christian Chahine,
John & Gretchen Coyle, Andy & Jeannie Matthews, Bob & Paula
Gray, Christian Rabbat, Michel Rafie,
Irena Wisniowski, Curtis and Cynthia Wood, Nancy Merson and many more….
For more information about donations
and other items needed please check our website, http://heartofsailing.org/whatisneeded.asp
UPCOMING
EVENTS
Sail
Proud Booth
Boat Show in Newport, RI
September 13-16
October
7
6th
Annual Inland Valley Buddy Walk for the Up for Down and the Down Syndrome
Association of Los Angeles
Also:
Sailing Regatta for the
Indiana Special Olympics
October
13
10th
Annual 2007 Indiana Down Syndrome Foundation Buddy Walk
October
11-15
Visit
us at our booth at the DAN! FALL CONFERENCE in Anaheim, CA
Follow
this link for Daysails in your area: http://www.heartofsailing.org/Sailwithus.asp
little heart newsletter is a
publication of Heart of Sailing, a non-profit foundation dedicated to sharing
the joy and therapeutic benefits of sailing with children with developmental
disabilities. Contents herein are for
information purposes and are the property of HoS unless otherwise identified. For questions, comments, advertising
opportunities or other information contact us at news@heartofsailing.org.
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this newsletter in PDF format
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to Heart of Sailing Website
