Big Brothers Big Sisters Corporate Yacht Program a BIG Success
Media Advisory - Dartmouth - July 14, 2009
This year, Big Brothers Big Sisters is pleased to take part in a new corporate yacht program that has teamed together five local companies with ten kids from the Greater Halifax area. Since January, these teams have been working on building their own yachts, anticipating sailing the yachts throughout the summer months.
PCL Constructors Canada Inc., CBCL Limited, WHW Architects, MHPM Project Managers Inc., and Nycum and Associates Ltd. have graciously donated their time and resources to mentor these "Littles," the majority of whom are on the waiting list waiting to be matched with a Big Brother or Big Sister. Anthony, a Little involved in the program describes the experience as "the best!" He says, "I've never been sailing before...it's a great experience. I get to spend time with friends, new people I wouldn't have known [without this program]."
The Kayak Guy, Bryan Darrell, has provided the expertise on building and sailing the yachts as well as provided the venue for building the yachts throughout the winter. Four associates from each of the five companies were teamed up with two Littles to create five teams who built, and now sail and race, the yachts against each other.
To date, the five teams have raced their 16ft Wind Sprints three times and have two more races to go until they head to Mahone Bay to race in the Wooden Boat Festival on Saturday August 1, 2009 (events starting at 1pm). This coming Tuesday night at 6pm, July 21st, the teams will be racing at the public launch just off of Jubilee Road, in Halifax, and will race again from the same spot on July 28th.
Over the next four weeks, the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic will be displaying the team yachts in their boat shed for the public to view.
Without the help from these five companies Big Brothers Big Sisters would not have been able to provide these littles with this opportunity. The goal of Big Brothers Big Sisters is to match every child in the community who wants a mentor with one. Big Brothers Big Sisters is always looking for volunteers and financial resources to provide kids on the waiting list with a Big Brother or Big Sister. Transportation is a big factor for the execution of some of our programs, and any companies who might be able to donate a van for transportation for the Mahone Bay sailing trip, please call 466-KIDS (5437).
For more information, contact:
Amy Barbour
Communications Student Volunteer
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Halifax
466-KIDS (5437)
communications@bigbrothersbigsistershalifax.ca
www.callbigbrothers.ca
Testimonials
WHW Architects became involved in this BBBS Yacht Program because of our close interaction with and the enjoyment we get working with the other Corporate Sponsors in our day-to-day work environments. A more social opportunity, with a little friendly competition, sounded like fun, and we could put our desires for building things to good use. That the Littles could participate in the boat building and sailing experience made it all the more worthwhile. The Kayak Guy pulled this all together, and we will be sorry to see at end at the Mahone Bay Classic Boat Festival.Rob McLaren, mRaic
Vice President
whwarchitects
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It has been really exciting and rewarding to be able to work together with so many different organizations for the common goal of having fun doing a project that is out of the ordinary and supporting Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Benjie Nycum, CEO
William Nycum & Associates Limited