—Kent Solheim, Service Member and Trident Dive Club Member
“Every dollar donated goes directly to the cause. Teaching these kids how to scuba dive and then showing them the ocean for the first time truly is a magical experience.” —Pat Duffy, Chatham Bay Foundation “There are many great programs available for combat veterans and their families once they return home, but who is caring for the families of those who made the ultimate sacrifice?”—Stan Patterson, CP, Prosthetic & Orthotic Associates
This summer, for the 3rd year in a row, the Chatham Bay Foundation will take 23 Gold Star family members (widows and children of fallen Special Operations Forces members) on a week-long SCUBA diving trip to Key Largo, Florida. The purpose of this trip is to honor and recognize families who have lost a loved one in Operation IRAQI FREEDOM and Operation ENDURING FREEDOM (Afghanistan) by providing them with a unique opportunity to become certified Open Water divers. There are many events and programs available for returning veterans and their families, but these Gold Star families—who have had to make the ultimate sacrifice—HAVE TOO OFTEN BEEN OVERLOOKED.
In addition to SCUBA instruction and Open Water diving certification, the families will enjoy other activities throughout the week such as kayaking, fishing and swimming with dolphins. The trip will be of no cost for the families. Your donations will help fund this trip and every dollar donated through the Chatham Bay Foundation will be used to pay for this event.
These families hold a special place in the hearts of our volunteers, many of whom are military diving veterans with families of their own. “I was lucky,” recalls Kent Solheim. “I got to come home. While I was deployed I worried about the welfare of my own family if I were to be killed in action. I signed up for that, but they didn’t, and I’d want them to have people and resources available to help them recover and heal from their loss.” Solheim suffered an injury in 2007 while on a mission in support of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM that led to the amputation of his leg. He single-handedly thwarted an enemy assault by exposing himself to enemy fire to kill a rocket propelled grenade gunner and enemy gunman maneuvering on his comrades. He was awarded a silver star for valor. “I’m 100% committed to this project,” says Solheim, who continues to service on active duty as an amputee. “My wife and children are also emotionally invested and involved in fundraising for this year’s trip.”
Donate online: http://www.firstgiving.com/chathambayfoundation
Donate by mail: Patrick Duffy, Chatham Bay Foundation, 1405 Foulk Road, Ste. 100, Wilmington, DE 19803
Phone: 302.479.9500 | Fax: 302.479.9200 | Email: pjd@chathambay.com
*** All Donations to Chatham Bay Foundation are tax deductible!! Tax ID: 26-01671 ***