The Take a Vet Sailing event was held on September 16, 2012 at 10AM held at Brewer''s Pilot Point Marina located in Westbrook, CT through Sail CT Access www.sailctaccess.org. This year we had sponsors from: CT Chapter of NSCIA, Wallingford, CT; Moving With HOPE (Health Oriented Physical Education), Shelton, CT; Advanced Wheels, Granby CT; American Veterans Assistance League, Cheshire, CT; Neil''s Donuts, Yalesville, CT; and a private donation.
Attendees included veterans from the Newington CT VA, West Haven CT VA, American Veterans Assistance League, and throughout CT. There were a total of 18 veterans that participated in the event. We had coffee and donuts were donated by Neil''s Donuts in the morning and were enjoyed during registration and chatting with one another. There were two scheduled departure times for the two adapted sail boats which allow people with severe physical disabilities to go out and enjoy sailing.
This year, we had many volunteers who assisted at the event. Notably: The Skippers and First Mates from Sail CT Access; Chapter members from CT-NSCIA, Chris and Jean Balsley of Wallingford, CT helped with registration and cooked on the grill; Holly Hegamen of Ridge Top Engraving, LLC engraved small keepsake stones which were given to each attending veteran as well as a few contestants from the Miss Connecticut Scholarship Organization.
The Miss Connecticut Scholarship Organization was proud to collaborate with "Take A Vet Sailing." During the event, the local titleholders spent time with the veterans and served them lunch, all while showing their appreciation for their years of service. One of The Miss America Organization founding principles is based on service, and our young women are excited to be a part of this meaningful event. For more information about the Miss Connecticut Scholarship program, please visit www.missctamerica.org.
Sail CT Access is a volunteer group founded in 1989 to offer persons with special needs the opportunity to enjoy sailing - not only as passengers, but also as skippers - and to encourage people with and without disabilities to share the experience.