Project Sails to Save Haiti
on Thursday April 1, 2010 03:14PM
John and Linda Dodge of Richmond, Virginia are in the second month of their Project Sails to Save Haiti, a donation program designed to get as many used sails ( " the bigger the better but we will take anything" ) as well as spinnaker poles, lines, and anything else one might think of to construct shelter in an effort to help the over 600,000 Haitians who have been left out in the exposure due to the January 12th earthquake that killed over 230,000. With the rain season now upon them and the death toll rising, time is of the essence. John is an oncology account specialist with Cephalon Oncology and an active sailor on the sailing circuit while wife Linda is a captain with United Airlines who also shares the love of racing, Along with help from son's Kyle (UVA) and Justin (Collegiate), the couple has focused their attention on sailors of the Chesapeake Bay. Whether it's fellow members of Storm Trysail Club (all stations), Fishing Bay Yacht Club, CBYRA (all regions), US Sailing, maxi's, one design, or cruisers, they will take what you have to offer. Simply call or email John and he will arrange to pick up the gear. The couple will transport all donations to Miami where the sails will be loaded on a ship and sailed to Haiti for distribution to the homeless. The first shipment was a huge success and they look to have an even bigger load for the next sail. Their efforts continue to spread nation - wide as more sailors read about Project Sails to Save Haiti, including sailors from California, Wisconsin, Texas, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Maine. North Sails Chesapeake in Annapolis, Md (410) 263-6666 and North Sails in Hampton, Va.(804) 722-4000 have agreed to act as a drop off points for local sailors in those areas. For more information,email or call John at dodger8385@aol.com or 804-334-6950. A great time to clean out sail lockers, containers, trailers,storage sheds, and help thousands of men,women, and children in the process.