CRAB, an Annapolis, MD non-profit organization, provides sailing opportunities for people with physical and developmental disabilities and others who would not otherwise have the opportunity to sail.

Heather comes to . . . → Read More: CRAB Welcomes New Executive Director]]> The Board of Directors of Chesapeake Region Accessible Boating (CRAB) is pleased to announce the appointment of Heather East as the organization’s Executive Director.

CRAB, an Annapolis, MD non-profit organization, provides sailing opportunities for people with physical and developmental disabilities and others who would not otherwise have the opportunity to sail.

Heather comes to CRAB after serving as Deputy Director for the Arc of Maryland, the largest statewide advocacy organization working to create a world where children and adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities have and enjoy equal rights and opportunities.

Lance Hinrichs, President of CRAB’s Board of Directors, said that “CRAB’s future plans include expansion of our services, including sailboat racing and training for the challenged.  With her years of experience in managing a large non-profit organization, Heather is uniquely qualified to lead CRAB’s growth in services and financial resources.

Lance added that CRAB’s founder and principal visionary, Don Backe, is moving from day to day operations to the position of Director of Strategic Planning where he will focus on ways in which CRAB’s future programs can support the needs and interests of persons with disabilities.  Lance noted that “Heather is committed to keeping CRAB on course with the mission set out by Don when he started CRAB.  Heather will manage CRAB’s service offerings, financial development and fundraising events.  CRAB’s Board is pleased to have Heather on-board.”

Heather’s prior experience includes work for the Arc of Maryland as Director of Campaign Management, Communications and Resource Development.  She also served as President of the Board of Directors for Annapolis’ Friends of Quiet Waters Park. Heather is an avid sailor and kayaker; she enjoys sailing the Chesapeake Bay and the coasts of Massachusetts and Maine. She holds a Masters Degree from Boston University and an undergraduate degree from Pennsylvania State University.

During the sailing season, over a thousand people with disabilities, and their families, teachers and caregivers enjoyed fun and safe sailing experiences on CRAB’s Freedom 20 sailboats, specially designed for sailors with disabilities, at CRAB’s dock at Sandy Point State Park.  CRAB, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, was founded in 1991.

Dear Friend of CRAB,

Chesapeake Region . . . → Read More: Dear Friend of CRAB]]>

Sarah had never been on a boat before.  This vivacious twelve year old girl, who had been in a wheelchair for eight years, was apprehensive about getting aboard Hermit, one of CRAB’s Freedom Independence sailboats.  Sarah asked her Dad if she could skip the sailing and go home.

Dear Friend of CRAB,

Chesapeake Region Accessible Boating, Inc. (CRAB) provides opportunities for people with physical and developmental challenges to experience the joy and freedom of sailing on the Chesapeake Bay.

Founded in 1991, CRAB is the most experienced organization to offer these unique opportunities in the mid-Atlantic region. We serve a very broad community including children and adults of all ages.

In 2012, more than 1,000 people enjoyed a fun and safe sailing experience, assisted by CRAB’s experienced skippers and dedicated volunteers.

We ask that you consider supporting CRAB.  Your donation will help ensure the success of our future.

Groups that have sailed with CRAB in recent years include: The Maryland School for the Blind, Central Special Education School in Edgewater, MD, Annapolis Police Department PALS Youth Program, Box of Rain, Magothy River Middle School, Stroke Survivors,  Boy Scouts, Endless Adventures with the Howard County Recreation Department, Chester River Health, Anne Arundel County Brain Injury Support, and Ginger Cove Retirement Community.

CRAB’s programs are unique:

• Groups and individuals with physical and developmental disabilities throughout the
  mid-Atlantic region turn to CRAB to provide outings for those who would otherwise have little opportunity to actively participate in recreational activities.
• CRAB’s fleet of 20-foot Freedom Independence sailboats, including Fiddler, Blue, Hermit, and Steamed, are custom designed and adapted for the disabled.
• Our monthly “Sail Free” days are designed to introduce the general public (both disabled and able-bodied persons) to the pure joy of the wind and water.
• We are sponsors and participants of races for disabled sailors, including the Boatyard Bar and Grill Regatta, the CRAB Cup, the Wounded Warrior Race, and The Mobility Cup.

• CRAB hosts Wounded Warriors Project events, giving returning veterans and their families an opportunity to enjoy a day of sailing or racing on the Chesapeake Bay. With many veterans returning home disabled, the community CRAB serves is growing.

CRAB depends on community partnerships with the generous individuals, businesses, corporations, and foundations who continue to support our work and touch the lives of the people we serve.  Your donation allows us to:

• Offer sailing experiences for the mobility and developmentally impaired.
• Cover maintenance costs — keeping our boats in top shape.*
• Keep all of our programs strong and growing.
• Make a difference in the lives of children and adults with special needs.

* Corporate, Business, and Organization identity sponsorships are available.

Your support of CRAB is vital.  Please send your generous tax deductible donation today in the enclosed return envelope.

Thank you and best wishes,

Donald E. Backe
Founder/Director of Strategic Planning

P.S.  Sarah’s Dad and the CRAB volunteers eased Sarah’s fears and gently guided her into the boat.  Within minutes of being on the water, the concerned look on Sarah’s face changed to a huge smile.  She loved the feeling of the breeze and the feeling of gliding on the water.  When the day was over, Sarah excitedly asked her Dad how soon she could come back to spend the day sailing with CRAB.

This past year found me out of the office and in the hospital or rehab; this impacted my communications, responses and acknowledgements to CRAB’s many supporters. With the Board’s help, we are shifting things, so as Director of Strategic Planning, I can concentrate on reviewing opportunities for expansion of CRAB’s services. I . . . → Read More: Message from Don]]> Dear Friends,

This past year found me out of the office and in the hospital or rehab; this impacted my communications, responses and acknowledgements to CRAB’s many supporters. With the Board’s help, we are shifting things, so as Director of Strategic Planning, I can concentrate on reviewing opportunities for expansion of CRAB’s services. I will be seeking funding to pay for the projects to be embraced. I will also continue to manage CRAB’s donated boat program.

In order to meet the day-to-day operations needs, the Board has formed a Search Committee to bring aboard a new Executive Director. I will of course hold that position until a new Executive Director is appointed. I and the Board are energized for 2013.

We give a nod of thanks to Matt Rutherford for his courage and dedication to CRAB. Matt brought in a substantial base of funds so that we can think of CRAB’s future possibilities to expand our services to persons with disabilities. We will be forever grateful.

Don Backe

Executive Director, CRAB

Matt has traveled 27,077 miles on a record-setting journey dedicated to raising money for CRAB and CRAB’s mission to enable . . . → Read More: Matt Completes His Voyage]]> Matt Rutherford crossed the finish line at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel at 10:48 ET on Wednesday, April 18, 2012, completing a circumnavigation of the Americas without stopping or setting foot on land.

Matt has traveled 27,077 miles on a record-setting journey dedicated to raising money for CRAB and CRAB’s mission to enable people with disabilities to experience the joy of sailing.

Matt cast off from Annapolis, Maryland in June, 2011 and, single handed, sailed thru the ice of the Northwest Passage, the perils of the Bering Sea, the length of the Pacific, around Cape Horn and back home to Annapolis. We are grateful for Matt’s dedication to CRAB and to all who have donated in response to Matt’s challenge. With the same determination shown by Matt, CRAB will continue working to raise funds to refurbish and expand CRAB’s fleet.

Matt honed his sailing skills working alongside Simon Edwards while delivering the yacht “Godspeed” to various destinations.  Godspeed is a 50 foot 1978 Hinckley owned and impeccably maintained . . . → Read More: Godspeed Crew Matching Grant Offer]]> The crew of Godspeed are pleased to announce a U.S. $21,000 matching grant for all donations made to  Matt’s Challenge for CRAB, until May 31, 2012.

Matt honed his sailing skills working alongside Simon Edwards while delivering the yacht “Godspeed” to various destinations.  Godspeed is a 50 foot 1978 Hinckley owned and impeccably maintained by Doug Kinney in Annapolis, Maryland.

In April 2010, Matt was helping with a delivery of Godspeed to Antigua where she was participating in the annual Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta.  On this delivery, Matt first learned about CRAB and set his sights on supporting CRAB in its mission to offer persons with disabilities opportunities to sail … and the rest is history.

Godspeed and its crew are again sailing in the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta which will – unfortunately – be underway during the planned April 21, 2012 return to Annapolis of Matt and his worthy vessel St. Brendan.  However, the Godspeed crew will be present in spirit.

The crew is delighted to offer this challenge to contribute matching funds to Matt’s Challenge for CRAB.  We invite all, sailors and friends alike, who have followed Matt’s voyage or just learned about his Challenge, to take the time to make a donation now so that C.R.A.B. can get the full benefit of this matching grant.  We sailors are in awe of Matt’s circumnavigation, solo and non-stop, and feel that Matt’s remarkable accomplishments can best be honored by matching our contribution.

“I can see Russia right now. Well, at least it’s a Russian island, but nevertheless, it’s part of . . . → Read More: Matt Rutherford’s 100 Days at Sea in Spinsheet Magazine]]> Spinsheet Magazine’s Beth Crabtree wrote a fun and informative article about Matt Rutherford’s journey thru the Northwest Passage and Arctic seas.   A portion of the article is printed below.

Knowing his friend had taken a beating from the weather, Annapolis sailor Simon Edwards has arranged a resupply effort. An Alaskan fishing boat from Dutch Harbor in the Aleutian Islands will deliver a care package to Rutherford. Supporters and friends have ensured that the container includes supplies for the boat as well as fuel for the sailor. Among the package contents will be a replacement for the solar energy converters, a water maker, a Virginia ham, and a tub of cookies.

After surviving the typhoon and officially leaving the Arctic, Rutherford opines about the larger journey, “The Northwest Passage has multiple beginnings and endings. I think it’s funny that it has two beginnings and three ends depending on whom you talk to and which way you are going. I don’t care where you draw the imaginary line; it’s absolutely irrelevant at this point. It was incredibly difficult, but also incredibly beautiful. The best things in life don’t come easy.”

Rutherford sailed out of Annapolis June 11. Two days later he crossed over his official start and finish line, the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. According to Don Backe, executive director of CRAB, Rutherford will continue down the coast to Canada, the United States, and South America; around Cape Horn; and return to Annapolis by July 2012. His goals are to circumnavigate the Americas and never set foot on land.