Tag: donation

100 miles for Safe Harbor

Tonight I embark on a 100 mile journey on my Epic V8 surf-ski.   By 7 p.m. tomorrow evening, I hope to have completed at least that distance.

If you’d like to join,
it’d be a great time to view
the weekend’s super-moon.

However, to tell the truth, and in the world of ultra-marathon distance canoeing and kayaking, it is by no means impressive. The Guinness world record for a 24 hour paddle is 279 miles on a river and 150 miles on flatwater. And just last year, West Hansen and his crew paddled 4,225 miles down the Amazon river in only 114 days!

Nonetheless, what is more impressive is the work of Safe Harbor of Chester County.   For over 20 years, they have provided services to people in need in my local area, such as food, overnight shelter to 40 people, friendship, and counseling and recovery opportunities. Their goal is to “help rebuild lives and life skills, reestablish self-esteem, and help people overcome the issues that prevent them from leading independent, productive lives.”

Glenn, Gina, Kim, Alicia, and the rest of the awesome staff are doing excellent and much needed work to help the West Chester community!

Tonight and tomorrow I will be doing what I enjoy – kayaking. Yes, I enjoy even trying to kayak ridiculously long distances. It’s okay – I’ve been called crazy before.

But ultimately this is not for me. As a Christian, I must do my best to follow Christ’s great commandment found in the gospels – love God and love your neighbor. And in Colossians, Paul implores, “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

What I am doing is only a one day event designed to point the community to our neighbors at Safe Harbor. It is so that the staff of Safe Harbor can greater love anyone who stops by, at any time, who says they are in need.

It is so that we can love our neighbors.

So today I ask you to join me in helping Safe Harbor by sponsoring me with a donation to this great organization.

Thank you for your support! And in advance, thank you for your prayers as I paddle tonight and all day tomorrow.

24 Hours on the Water: Part Deux

On June 21 to 22, 2012, from 7 p.m. to 7 p.m., I will be back at Marsh Creek State Park paddling my kayak for Safe Harbor of Chester County, a local homeless shelter in West Chester, PA!   Last year I paddled 80 miles in  21 hours and 30 minutes, and thanks to everyone who donated money, raised about $1600 for Safe Harbor.   This event will also be sponsored by the West Chester Church of the Nazarene.

This year my goal is to paddle 100 miles in this 24 hour period while raising even more money for Safe Harbor.   But I REALLY need your help!

What can you do?

1) Tell people about the event!   Use word-of-mouth and social media.   Ask local businesses to hang up a flyer, advertise this event, and get involved.   Call the local radio stations and news channels and tell them about what’s happening.

2) Give a donation to Safe Harbor!   You can make a donation here.   There will be a link available soon where you can mark that your donation is in response to this event and the number of miles I’ve paddled.

3) Grab a canoe, kayak, or stand-up paddleboard (SUP) and join me out on the lake!   It doesn’t have to be for all 24 hours – but it would be great to see you out there for even a half hour or an hour.   Sunset and sunrise on the first days of summer are great experiences while sitting on the water.

I hope to see you out there and have your help in making this event an awesome success for Safe Harbor of Chester County!   Your much needed support can make a huge difference in helping to fight poverty in the local community.

Any questions can be emailed to me at currentsofcompassion@gmail.com.