SANTA MONICA BAY SAILING FOUNDATION member ED GOLD has had a lot of strange things happen during the nearly twenty years he’s managed donations for the organization which benefits young sailors from this area. However, none have been quite as bizarre as the time when a young man came with cash to purchase a donated Cal 25 sailboat. He said he loved the boat, but could Ed teach him to sail it so he could get to Australia where his girlfriend was now living? Poor Ed had to explain that in his opinion, this was not a good idea, and that it would be safer and much cheaper to just buy a ticket on an airplane and fly there.
In addition to the lovesick young man, Ed has had to deal with a number of “Unhoused” individuals looking for cheap places to live, not realizing that buying a boat is only the beginning of the hurdles they will face including getting approved to bring the boat into a marina, insurance, maintenance, credit checks and much more.
The donation program has turned out to be a real success for the Santa Monica Bay Sailing Foundation, bringing in anywhere from $30,000 to $50,000 a year. In addition to boats, cars, motor homes, gym equipment, bicycles, marine electronics, outboard motors, and dinghies have been some of the higher dollar items donated. Anything of value is appreciated, but storage is a problem. So larger items can only be accepted if there is room to store them.
The donated items are sold on CRAIG’S LIST or EBAY. Santa Monica Bay Sailing Foundation also sells items at boating swap meets, such as the one at PMYC on June 8 th . Incidentally, if you’re looking for something special, you should contact Ed. You never know what he’ll get.
The Santa Monica Bay Sailing Foundation, which is a 501C-3, all-volunteer organization has granted well over one million dollars throughout its lifetime. In addition to donated items, they have raised money through fundraising events, sailing marathons, Ralph’s Card charitable partnerships and good old- fashioned cash donations. Foundation supporters can also create scholarships and perpetual trophies to memorialize loved ones.
The money goes to benefit and promote young sailors from the Santa Monica Bay area by providing scholarships to attend the Junior Program for those who need financial support, giving competitive grants for juniors attending very high-level competitive events all over the world and providing equipment to elevate training and experience.
With scholarships, participants learn to sail and work with others. They develop teamwork and leadership skills. They learn to be responsible by taking care of their equipment and gear. Those of us who sail are well aware that the sport builds self-reliance and independence. Those that choose to race, learn to win and lose, and make countless, lifelong friends.
Some of the organizations the Santa Monica Bay Sailing Foundation supports are Del Rey YC, California YC, Santa Monica Bay Windjammers YC, King Harbor YC, Westlake YC, the Women’s Sailing Foundation, Venice High School, Palisades High School, UCLA, Pepperdine and others.
The organization has gone a long way in promoting DRYC’s commitment to support the City of Los Angeles and inner-city youth, many whom would never have the opportunity to be on, let alone sail a boat. It gives them an expanded view of the world and of the myriad opportunities there are for those who work hard and apply themselves.
Santa Monica Bay Sailing Foundation’s motto is “Changing Lives Through Sailing.” Above all, THE ORGANIZATION NEVER WANTS ANY CHILD NOT TO BE ABLE TO SAIL BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF MONEY.
The Santa Monica Bay Sailing Foundation is always looking for volunteers. So if you would like to become involved, please contact president, Paul Artof at 818-802-9776. For more information, visit SMBSF.org, or on Facebook: SMB Sailing Foundation.
