Did you know that incorporating recreation into your routine can boost your physical, social, and mental health? Recreational activities give us time to unwind, build relationships, enjoy the beautiful outdoors, and have fun. Unfortunately, many recreational activities are not accessible to those with disabilities. This is a problem! That’s why we were excited to learn about Chesapeake Regional Accessible Boating (CRAB) in Annapolis, Maryland.
CRAB provides the thrill, freedom, and therapeutic value of sailing to people with disabilities, wounded warriors, and local youth from underserved neighborhoods. CRAB was founded in 1991 by Don Backe. Don was paralyzed in his 50’s from a car accident in 1989. He was an avid sailor. With the help of friends, he got back into sailing to improve his spirits and rekindle his love of sailing. Now, 31 years later, thousands of people with disabilities have been able to benefit from therapeutic sailing at no cost and in a safe environment.
Our first grant to CRAB was in 2020 for a sailing clinic for veterans. Our benefactor, Howard W. Phillips, Jr., was an Ensign in the U.S. Navy in WWII. We knew he’d be honored that his legacy was helping Veterans today.
As we learned more about CRAB, we became interested in their plans for a new barrier-free adaptive boating center. We were excited about the possibilities and wanted to help.
Phillips Charitable Foundation (PCF) awarded CRAB with a $94,000 grant to fund furniture and technology for the learning center that will be a part of this new facility. The grant will fund accessible classroom furniture, desktop computers and monitors, iPad Pros, laptops, and adaptive technology for voice recognition, vision impairment, assistive living technology, braille reader, and communication devices for those who are non-verbal.
CRAB was able to break ground in 2022. The new facility should open in the spring of 2023. We were able to tour the in-progress building project in December. It’s going to be spectacular! The flagship facility is expected to triple the number of guests participating in CRAB programs by 2026.
CRAB programs are largely run by volunteers. If you’re interested in learning more about volunteer or other support needs, check out their website HERE.
We often refer to an essay written by Howard Phillips Jr.’s mother, Marie Barth, back in 1910. In this essay she writes:
“If I had the money I would endeavor to use it to the best of my ability in bringing sunshine and happiness to the poor and homeless, joy and comfort to the afflicted.”
We are doing just that for Marie through this grant to CRAB. We’re thrilled to support a project that brings sunshine and happiness, improving the lives and opportunities of those with physical, mental, and social challenges.
