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getting underway... |
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November 2007
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Aracaju, Brazil
Our once-vague dreams and hopes are
taking shape, and the answers to some of the many "what
if" questions that presage a voyage into new waters are
becoming more clear. The first time we went voyaging, from
1986 to 1991, was challenging and rewarding, but we now know
that, this time, we are on a voyage toward all that —
and something more. The "something more" is the
work we want to carry out with Hands Across the Sea...bringing
educational, medical, and environmental assistance to communities
we'll visit. In our previous travels through the Pacific,
the local residents we met inevitably gave us much more, in
terms of welcome and hospitality,
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Hands Across the Sea
under construction at
Dolphin Catamarans in Aracaju, Brazil
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than we could ever match in return. So,
this time, equipped with the ability to "give back"
via the Hands non-profit foundation, it's our hope that we can
repay some of the goodwill we'll find out there.
Our journey begins with brainstorming — How can we help?
Where can we help? What's the best way to lend our hands to
local aid groups? — and the building of our boat in Aracaju,
Brazil. The folks at Dolphin
Catamarans have been solidly behind the concept and the
goals of Hands, and they've greeted our many detailed requests
for custom features in the boat with a heartening "can
do" attitude. As well, many people we've shared the concept
of Hands Across the Sea with have pointed us in helpful directions,
and suggested people to contact. Already this is an exciting,
challenging voyage — we can't wait to get afloat and
on our way!
The boat will be launched in early November. From Aracaju we
will sail south to the city of Salvador, where we'll spend a
month on a "shakedown" — we'll use this time
to learn how to handle the boat and take care of any last-minute
gremlins in the electronics or other systems. From Salvador
we will sail up the coast of Brazil to the island of Fernando
de Noronha, about 800 nautical miles northeast of Salvador and
about 200 miles off the Brazilian coast. From there we will
head to Trinidad and Tobago in January, then up the Caribbean
chain to Florida, then north to Massachusetts in early summer,
2008, to install equipment (solar panels, refrigeration) and
continue our Hands Across the Sea networking. — T.L.
and Harriet
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ways you can work with Hands...
how to donate funds
Cash donations can be made through
a check made out to "Hands Across the Sea, Inc."
and mailed to Hands Across the Sea, Inc., 411 Walnut Street,
PMB 4218, Green Cove Springs, FL 32043.
Or you can donate via the secure PayPal interface on the Donate
to Hands page. If you have a specific school or project
you'd like to "adopt," please tell us in the Comments
section of the PayPal interface or on your check. You'll help
us fulfill the specific Wish
Lists of our recipients.
how to donate books to
Hands
If you'd like to donate new and nearly
new books, please go to our Hands
Book Drop page or contact
us!
purchase books for Hands
If you'd like to help us purchase
nearly new children's books at a Friends of the Library Sale,
please contact us!
sort or pack books for Hands
Want to work hands-on? Please contact
us!
host a Hands presentation or Hands
fundraiser If you'd like to
do either— contact us!
join the Hands Log eNews group
If you would like to receive the
Hands Log (e-mail newsletter) please
click here.
Just type "Subscribe" in the subject line of your e-mail and
we'll keep you updated on the latest from Hands!
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