The Little Washington Sailing School applied for and received a West Marine BlueFuture Grant made by the West Marine Blue Future Fund at Community Foundation of Santa Cruz County. Through BlueFuture, West Marine distributes tens of thousands of dollars annually to dozens of nonprofit organizations that are dedicated youth-focused, community-based recreational and educational initiatives on and around the water nationwide.

“It’s a competitive process. The Sailing School was a good match for their funding objectives and we are extremely grateful to the Community Foundation of Santa Cruz and West Marine for their support. We share a vision and a goal of keeping these kids on the river – learning about it, having fun on it and coming to love it so they will take care of it as adults,” said program Director Kevin Clancy.

David Norwood, president of the sailing school, added, “The funds will go toward new life jackets and a few other much needed restoration supplies for the boat hulls that can be obtained through the local West Marine store in downtown Washington.”

Look for Little Washington Sailing School and other winners on the West Marine website www.westmarine.com/BlueFuture/Partners soon.