The National Safe Boating Council Announces the Winner of the
2011 OMC “Take ‘Em Boating” Grant
Savannah, GA (March 9, 2011) – The National Safe Boating Council (NSBC) has officially recognized the winner of the OMC “Take ‘Em Boating” grant at the 15th annual International Boating and Water Safety Summit in Savannah, GA. Kama’aina Kids is this year’s winner with their Boating on the Bay program.
The OMC’s “Take ‘Em Boating” grant is offered as a means to promote and develop interest in boating for future generations. The winning program must promote the future of the marine industry through environmental education and safety awareness, embrace all aspects of recreational boating, and be aimed at youth ages 6 – 18. Furthermore, the
program should reflect the benefits of getting out on the water in boats, showing young people that exercise and fresh air is a great life style.
The Kama’aina Kid’s Boating on the Bay program is exemplary in the above mentioned goals and, because of that, has received a single cash award of $5,000 to further promote its program. The award money will help to support the grant’s primary goal of increasing actual physical involvement of youth in boats.
Ray Sanborn of Kama’aina Kids presented the Boating on the Bay program at this year’s Summit, illustrating its overall program design to Summit attendees. Mr. Sanborn was also presented with a commemorative trophy for the award-winning program.
“The National Safe Boating Council is excited to continue supporting programs like the Boating on the Bay initiative through the OMC Foundation’s ‘Take ‘Em Boating’ grant,” comments NSBC Chair Veronica Floyd. “This program is a shining example of the values held in high regard of the OMC Foundation and its goals to get youth out on our nation’s waterways.”
The Boating on the Bay program is an educational and environmental program designed to help children understand the value and importance of that waters that surround the island state of Hawaii. This is achieved through offering waterfront programs teaching children basic water and boating safety skills such as different boating techniques, swimming, and basic marine biology and ocean preservation.
About the National Safe Boating Council
The National Safe Boating Council represents over 330 U.S. and Canadian organizations committed to reducing boating accidents and enhancing the boating experience. Visit www.SafeBoatingCouncil.org for safe boating resources and campaign materials.
About the OMC Foundation
The OMC Foundation, Inc. is a not-for profit organization rooted in the Outboard Marine Corporation (OMC), a leading manufacturer of outboard motors and small boats that was liquidated in 2001. The foundation was originally created in 1945. The foundation’s charter was to provide scholarships for children of OMC employees, to support the
communities where OMC operated, and to support marine industry environmental and educational programs.