A young person with special needs enjoyed his boat ride.
For the past three years, children with disabilities and veterans have been able to experience boating on Lake Lanier. Organized by the Freedom Waters Foundation, this year’s event will take place at Port Royale Marina the weekend of September 7-8.
“Our Weller Day Boat outings on Lake Lanier are always so rewarding, not only for the families of people with disabilities and veterans, but because of the abundant support and participation of our many boat owners and volunteers,” said Debra Frenkel, founder and executive director of the organization based in Naples. “I continue to be overwhelmed by the kindness and willingness of the boaters on Lake Lanier for giving their time to help others enjoy an experience on the water.”
Frenkel is asking for additional volunteers and boat owners to sign up in anticipation of a larger group than last year. Although attendance was slightly down in 2023, previous years have seen more than 640 people take part in the two-day event.
“Because of a conflicting event on Lake Lanier last year, we changed our date and that affected our participation,” she said. “We fully expect to have more than 600 people participating and for that we will need more captains, boats and volunteers.”
Saturday’s boating day will focus on veterans and their spouses; on Sunday, children with serious illnesses/special needs and their families will be hosted for boat rides. On both days, Port Royale Marina and various sponsors will provide lunch and entertainment for the participants, guests, boat owners and volunteers.
“This event on Lake Lanier would not be possible without our generous volunteers,” she said. “And I continue to be overwhelmed and so grateful for the generosity of Doug Traina, owner of Port Royale, and his entire staff and all the boat owners and volunteers who show up to share freedom and joy on and off the water for so many who might not otherwise have such an opportunity.”
Each year volunteers gladly give their time to the event; some even dress in costume.
The organization’s mission is to enhance the well-being of children and adults with disabilities and veterans through therapeutic boating participation. In 2023 the group provided more than 4,600 on-the-water experiences in South Florida, the weekend event at Lake Lanier /Port Royale Marina and a weekend event at Lake Monroe/Fourwinds Lakeside Inn and Marina in Bloomington, Indiana.
Freedom Waters Foundation work is supported by more than 300 volunteers across its events. And, all of this coordination happens with just three full-time and two part-time staff members.
To volunteer a boat or your time, or to provide sponsorship support, or for questions about the Port Royale Mariana/Freedom Waters Foundation’s event, visit www.freedomwatersfoundation.org or call 239 263-2377.
Photos: provided by Freedom Waters Foundation
