Shriners Hospitals for Children Sail
The Shriners kids sailed all day Saturday July 31st, 2010 getting underway at Wolverine Park in the West Canal Basin and sailing out onto Presque Isle Bay. These are kids who are or have been patients at the Erie Shriners Hospital. The sail day is an opportunity for these young people and their families to get out on the water and have some fun!
Ease participants sailing past Erie's new waterfront convention center.
Family members get out on the water too, on the EASE wheelchair accessible pontoon boat.
Sailing in light air.
See more photos of the Shriner Sail Day
Since the Bayfront Maritime Center began the Adaptive Sailing Program in 2000, young people from the Shriners Hospitals for Children have been sailing. The Erie Adaptive Sailing Experience, EASE, was started with funds raised in collaboration with the Junior League of Erie to purchase two Access Dinghies. A third Access Dinghy was added this spring thanks in part to to grants from the CVS Caremark Community Foundation, PNC Bank, and Erie Insurance.
EASE Erie Adaptive Sailing Experience
EASE is one of the many hands-on maritime programs the Bayfront Center for Maritime Studies brings to the Erie Community. EASE is the only adaptive sailing program in the area, and the only adaptive sailing program in Pennsylvania.
EASE is run by a group of 17 dedicated volunteers led by Kathy and Bren Lindell. This accomplished volunteer group includes 6 Special Education Teachers, 1 Regular Education Teacher, 1 ESL Teacher, 1 Speech Pathologist, 1 Physical Therapist, 1 Psychologist, 1 Transition Coordinator, 1 Pharmacist, 1 Fireman/Underwater Rescue, 1 Retired Fireman, and 2 High School Students. These volunteers logged over 1100 hours in the 2009 sailing season.
Thank You! to the Awesome EASE Volunteers
The EASE program would like to thank: Erie Western Pennsylvania Port Authority , Lakeshore Towing, at Wolverine Park Marina, and the Junior League of Erie.