BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Monroe Reservoir and the Fourwinds Resort and Marina will host the inaugural leg of a journey destined to touch people across the globe. George Saidah, an Indianapolis entrepreneur, has combined his lifelong love of sailing with a driving desire to help children with cognitive disorders. On Saturday, June 18, his Heart of Sailing program will make its maiden voyage in conjunction with the International Summer Sailstice to deliver hope and education to children of all nationalities. The event, which is co-sponsored by AuthorHouse, begins at 9:30 a.m.

 

       Saidah, a successful entrepreneur and software engineer, is also the founder and executive director of Heart of Sailing, a nonprofit foundation whose objective is to bring the wonder of the seafaring world to children with disabilities. He and two Bloomington residents, Heart of Sailing President John Shean and Secretary Souheil Haddad, invite anyone interested in this truly one-of-a-kind endeavor to join them at Lake Monroe.

 

       “I love sailing and this is a dream I have always wanted to accomplish,” Saidah said. “There is nothing for kids with cognitive impairments in the sailing arena.”

 

       Boats will depart from the Fourwinds at 10:30 a.m., and snacks and beverages will be provided. Participants will receive safety lessons, training in how to tie nautical knots and photos highlighting their adventure. All passengers will be outfitted with lifejackets and the boat is fully equipped with all necessary safety equipment. Saidah is quick to point out, however, that the Heart of Sailing program offers more than just the simple pleasure of an afternoon on the water.

 

       “The children will learn [to the best of their ability] how to sail,” he said. “They will help sail the boat; they are the crew.”

 

       The program’s first open water voyage will begin this fall with what Saidah hopes will become a lifetime of exposing children to possibilities they otherwise would not experience. As part of the sailing experience, Saidah is also publishing a children’s book through AuthorHouse, which each passenger will receive upon boarding. During the vessel’s globe-trotting trek, Saidah will also pen a book for adults.