Fantastic action packed weekend with the West Marine Challenged America Regatta

Posted on June 13, 2011 by challengedamerica

A big thank you to our volunteers and all who participated in this action packed weekend.

The weekend started Friday afternoon with the commodores of the local yacht clubs competing on our Martin 16 boats specially designed for disabled sailors.

After 2 races, Navy Yacht Club took away the trophy

The Commodores’ Challenge was followed by dinner and a live and silent auction at the Bali Hai with two outstanding speaker. Steve Cushman who talked about his family ties to San Diego (5 generations) and Gunnery Sergent Mark K Daemon who talked about the work our Marines and military in general are doing in Afghanistan. He presented the American Flag flwoen over Camp Leatherneck, Helmand province, Afghanistan to the winner of the auction. Hoorah

Saturday morning, the West Marine Challenged America Regatta started under the usual June gloom but the wind picked up and cleared the coastal layer to give us two action packed races

See the photos of the events in the gallery section. The files are low resolution, if you wish to have the high resolution files to print the photos, you can make a donation to Challenged America, one file $10, 4 files for $20 by check mailed to our office , or credit card using Paypal using our “Donate” button (Please specify the name of the gallery and the number of the photos you are ordering)

Gy Sgt Mark D. Daemon, USMC will present the flag to the winner of the auction

Posted on June 8, 2011 by challengedamerica

It will be a great honor and privilege for us to welcome Gy Sgt Mark D. Daemon Administration Chief 9^th Communication Battalion , United States Marine Corps.

Gy Sgt Mark D. Daemon will be presenting the flag to the winner of the auction as well as give us background information on the flag and Camp Leatherneck above which it flew.

Thank you United States Marine Corps, 9th Communication Battalion

Posted on June 6, 2011 by challengedamerica

On behalf of Challenged America participants and volunteers, a big thank you for donating a US flag flown above Camp Leatherneck, Helmand Province, Afghanistan for our auction.

The flag is a tribute to the courage of the men and women of our armed forces, to their sacrifices, to those who made the ultimate sacrifice and those who came back wounded or disabled, some of whom we have or will see in the Challenged America program.

Following is a copy of the certificate.

United States Marine Corps

This certifies that the accompanying American Flag was flown over Camp Leatherneck in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan

1 January 2011

On this day, Gy Sgt Mark D. Daemon, Administration Chief

9^th Communication Battalion dedicated this flag in honor of

Challenged America and *Auction winner*

The greatest gift that a person can give is time and efforts invested in the development and care of others. It enriched the one who gives and inspires those who receive. A person who finds values in their own life has dignity. A person who finds value in others is generous and serving. A person who finds value in both self and others and strives to communicate that through their actions and words is enlightened and brings peace where they travel. Thank you for your support of Challenged America and its work. We appreciate your commitment to making a positive difference.

Leatherneck – Afghanistan

Operation Enduring Freedom

Thank you Charter Advisors

Posted on June 3, 2011 by challengedamerica

Thank you Kevin LaFond and Charter Advisors for donating ad space and designing the ad to help Challenged America promote the West Marine Challenged America Regatta fundraiser.

Charter Advisors primary goal is to get more people sailing though chartering. Though our charter company and charter yacht reviews we hope to de-mystify the charter sailing world, making it a real option for those who may not have considered it before. For the sailor we provided depth of information not found anywhere else. Sailing has been an underserved industry and it’s high time we corrected that! Charter Advisors is here to help raise awareness, share information, and showcase the fun and adventure of sailing. We are not a charter broker. We do not sell charters. We’re simply here to help.

Prominent businessman and philanthropist Stephen Cushman, keynote speaker at the West Marine Challenged America Regatta dinner

Posted on May 11, 2011 by challengedamerica

As a fourth generation San Diegan, Stephen Cushman has continued the Cushman family tradition of service to our community. He has been actively involved with over 60 Boards and Commissions and is committed to making San Diego an even better place to live. He was the Chairman of the Board of Port Commissioners for 12 years, as well as Chairman of the College of Business Administration Board at San Diego State University and President of the San Diego Food Bank, to name only a few.

Mr. Cushman holds a degree in Business Administration from California Western University. He began his career in publishing and then progressed into the travel industry for 25 years. During that time, he established his automotive dealerships, The Cush Automotive Group, and was a recognized leader in the automotive industry before its sale in 2006. Among numerous other awards, Mr. Cushman received special recognition in 2001 from the San Diego Convention and Visitor’s Bureau for Extraordinary Leadership and Support of the Tourism Industry in San Diego and in 2008 Community Champion of the year

Mr. Cushman currently resides in San Diego with his wife, Marjorie. He is the proud father of two daughters, their husbands and four grandchildren.

Reserve your seat or table now

The Monarch School “Steel Monarchs” to play at the West Marine Challenged America Regatta Dinner

Posted on May 9, 2011 by challengedamerica

The Monarch School steel drums band: “The Steel Monarchs” will perform at the West Marine Challenged America Regatta dinner.

The band is composed of homeless and at risk children from the Monarch School in San Diego.

The Monarch School mission is to educate students impacted by homelessness and to help them develop hope for a future with the necessary skills and experiences for personal success.

The school mission is very much in tune with Challenged America’s mission; to introduce adaptive sailing and other recreational activities as a new life experience to improve health, build self-confidence, develop new skills and abilities, stimulate independence, and foster the competitive spirit of program participants to fulfill the goals and objectives of the charity.

Don’t forget, this Saturday at Fiddler’s Green: the Reflectors’ benefit concert

Posted on April 6, 2011 by challengedamerica

The Hottest 80’s Rock Band in San Diego the Reflectors is making their comeback debut April 9th with a free benefit concert for Challenged America.

The concert will be at Fiddlers Green Restaurant 2760 Shelter Island Drive in Point Loma from 12 noon until 4pm. Enjoy the Reflectors, Fantastic food and drink, incredible raffle prizes and silent auction items.

Challenged America is a therapeutic sailing program assisting people with disabilities to:

“Further rehabilitate, enhance life experiences, and foster the competitive spirit of youth and adults with disabilities toward successful mainstream outcomes.”

Please RSVP here:

You can still get a tax deduction up to the market value of your donated boat or vehicle

Posted on February 27, 2011 by challengedamerica

Donating your boat to a “Qualified User Non Profit” like Challenged America, and the keyword here is “user”, you could receive a much higher tax deduction. Depending on the condition of the donated boat or vehicle, and if we use it in our program, you could get a tax deduction as high as the appraised or market value of your boat, see IRS publication 526 on charitable donation, under exception #1 (page 8, column 2)

Disclosure: This is not a tax advice, please consult your attorney and/or CPA with the information

Challenged America.org

Adaptive And Therapeutic Sailing Program Since 1978

Category Archives: Donations