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| COMMUNITY
>>> Charity |
METCOR
Ltd. supports a number of local and national
charities by offering Daily and Weekly cruises
to not-for-profit organizations to use as
fundraising tools. METCOR has donated charity
sails to numerous organizations including
(partial listing):
| * |
The Brendan Sail Training Program for
Youths with Learning Differences Brendan Sail Training Program Web Site |
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Women's
International Rolex Regatta |
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Hospice
of Northern VA |
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Junior
Achievement |
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Philadelphia
City Sail |
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The
Odyssey School |
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National
Kidney Foundation |
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Summit
School |
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US
SAILING |
METCOR is a direct sponsor of the St. Brendan
Sail Training Program for Youths with Learning
Differences and hosts program students for
and evening sail / overnight sleepover two
times per year aboard DONNYBROOK. Loyal DONNYBROOK
crewmembers contribute their time to work
with the students throughout the 4-week summer
sailing program by teaching them sailing and
volunteering at special events. See below
for more information of the St. Brendan Sail
Training Program for Youths with Learning
Differences
The St. Brendan Sail Training Program for
Youths with Learning Differences
1500 K Street, NW, Suite 350
Washington, DC 20005
202/638-2788 Tel
202/638-2780 Fax
joanne.dorval@metcor.com E-mail
Contact: Joanne Dorval
Sponsors: The Brendan Corporation, Washington,
DC
Annapolis Sailing School, Annapolis, MD
Shearwater Sailing Club, Annapolis, MD
Brief History:
The Brendan Corporation is a non-profit, 501(c)(3)
all-volunteer organization created to provide
positive and confidence building experiences
for youth ages 11-14 with moderate learning
differences. Each year, the organization hosts
a specifically designed sail-training program
to help them not only learn how to sail, but
how to interact with others. They learn team-building
skills that result in greater self-confidence,
concentration and a sense of accomplishment.
The organization was founded 19 years ago
by James Muldoon who was inspired by the confidence
his son (who has learning differences) gained
by learning how to sail.
Mission:
In consort with Shearwater Sailing Club and
Annapolis Sailing School, The Brendan Corporation
hosts the St. Brendan Sail Training Program
for Youths with Learning Differences. This
program aims to introduce these children to
the joys of sailing, while helping them to
improve their relationships with peers and
to build confidence and self-esteem. An estimated
1.8 million youngsters in the nation have
been diagnosed with "learning differences"
(LD). Although they are generally of average
to above-average intelligence, they historically
function best in non-competitive, non-traditional
learning environments. Hence, the Sail Training
Program is uniquely tailored to include no
structured test taking, and no emphasis on
technical knowledge.
Funding:
As part of the organization's on-going fund
raising efforts, volunteers:
| * |
distribute periodic press releases to
appropriate associations, newspapers,
sailing-oriented magazines, and schools
& educational programs geared to youth
with learning differences; |
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conduct the Annual Raffle; |
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showcase the program at
sailing and community events; |
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solicit both cash and
in-kind contributions from individuals
and corporations. |
In addition, Shearwater Sailing Club generously
contributes 100% of the proceeds of the Annual
St. Brendan Cup Race to the Program. The Club's
members actively volunteer in all aspects
of the Program, including organizational support,
sailing instruction, raffle sales, and acknowledgment
of the Program's "Nogutsnoglory" Award winner
at the Club's Annual Banquet.
It is important to note that The Brendan Corporation
is an entirely volunteer organization. As
such, the organization is able to allocate
the majority of program funds to direct costs,
without having to pay large, administrative
overhead.
Sail Training Program Curriculum:
Building on a solid base of providing 19 years
of quality instruction, the program has helped
hundreds of youth attain goals they might
never have strived for or achieved. The uniquely
tailored, comprehensive program has demonstrated
proven results and received heart-warming
gratitude from students and parents alike.
The curriculum includes instruction in mooring,
rules of the road, boat handling, sail trim,
points of sail, and other basic skills designed
to give the students a sense of the fun to
be found in sailing, as well as, the overall
importance of safety and personal responsibility.
Based on our experiences, we are currently
developing a "How To" manual that we envision
will enable others to set up similar sailing
programs in their local areas. We hope to
spread the joy and satisfaction this program
brings to all those with learning differences
who may be having a difficult journey on the
road to a successful life.
Targeted Population:
The program is specifically designed for youth
with moderate learning differences between
11-14 years of age.
Key Staff and Volunteers:
Sailing Director, Judi McKay, is a highly
experienced sailing instructor. She uses US
SAILING certified instructors, assistants
with previous sailing experience and experts
in the field of special education to conduct
the program. Volunteers with a special interest
in youth with learning differences also dedicate
countless hours to ensure the success of the
program. In addition, students who have attended
the program for 3 years may return the next
year to lend assistance in the capacity of
a Junior Helper and the year thereafter as
an Assistant Sailing Instructor. This facet
of the program allows new students to see
that they, too, can master something, rise
up the ladder, and be in a position to "give
back" to the very program that helped them
accomplish their goals.
Program Dates:
The 2003 program will be held at the Annapolis
Sailing School Marina facility in Annapolis,
MD. It will include two 2-week sessions from
July 7 - 17 and 21 - 31. Classes will be conducted
Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Students can attend one or both sessions,
with instruction tailored to individual special
needs.
Program Fees:
Each 2-week session costs $125.00 per student
and is limited to approximately 15 students
per session to assure the desired student/instructor
ratio. Financial assistance is available under
appropriate circumstances.
Participant Qualifications:
Prospective students must demonstrate an ability
to swim and must wear life vests during all
on-the-water activities. Each student must
supply his/her own life vest.
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