Looking for crew? Someone who shows up on time, follows directions and is tough? Naw, nobody needs those kind of crew members. Sailish reader Dan Tedrow would like to toss out an idea, and it’s a good one: veterans. Tedrow is going to host some vets on his Cal 34 Resolute, and invites other sailish.com readers to do the same. The organization is Mission Outdoors, which connects vets with activities and people who are established in a given area. Until now they’ve been more focused on things like fishing, marksmanship, biking and camping, sailing is finding its way onto the agenda as well. Here’s what Tedrow has to say:
Mission Outdoors is a local non-profit organization that helps veterans transition back to civilian life via the outdoors. The organization does this through veteran fishing trips, outdoor activities, and soon…Sailing. The group is very interested in getting veterans onboard sailboats. These folks are strong, willing, work great as a team and most of all love hard work and being outdoors. If you need crew, rail meat, folks to help with a delivery reach out to Mission Outdoors and see if they can pair you up with a veteran or twelve. Imagine having a 6’ 4” Marine yelling “STARBOARD” at your competitors…They’ll tack, even if you’re on Port. The organization is going to start hosting veteran’s cruises onboard our Cal 34 this summer in the Puget Sound. However, they want to get onboard something a little faster…Hoping you can help with that.
In addition, the Mission Outdoors has a Gala scheduled on April 21st in Tacoma to support the cause. This is a great opportunity to meet the men and women that run the program, and understand the positive impact they are having on veteran’s lives. Did I mention dinner is Surf and Turf?
For volunteering with Mission Outdoors, individuals can reach out to Matthew Houston directly or fill out the Volunteer form. Matthew’s contact information is below.
Matthew Houston
matthew.houston@missionoutdoors.org
724.525.7653
Kurt grew up racing and cruising in the Midwest, and has raced Lasers since the late 1970s. Currently he is a broker at Swiftsure Yachts. He has been Assistant Editor at Sailing Magazine and a short stint as Editor of Northwest Yachting. Through Meadow Point Publishing he handles various marketing duties for smaller local companies. He currently is partners on a C&C 36 which he cruises throughout the Northwest. He’s married to the amazing Abby and is father to Ian and Gabe.