Sailing Clinic Open to Wounded Veterans in Bay Area

April 2, 2012 - PRLog -- SAN FRANCISCO, CA, March 29, 2012 – Lance Cpl. Ronnie Simpson, USMC (Ret.) will host wounded service members and veterans next month for a therapeutic Sailing Clinic. The clinic will be held April 18-20 at the South Beach Harbor in San Francisco, CA.  The clinic is a result of two organizations:  Hope For The Warriors® and the Bay-Area Association of Disabled Sailors (BAADS).  Hope For The Warriors®, a national nonprofit organization that assists combat wounded service members, their families, and families of the fallen.

To qualify for the clinic, the applicant must have been wounded in Iraq or Afghanistan, post 9/11.  The type or degree of injury is not important—Simpson believes that he can teach anyone to sail and that everyone can benefit from the sport.

Hotel accommodations and meals will be provided, however, each participant will be required to cover and arrange their own travel.  To apply for this clinic, contact Jenlene Nowak, jnowak@hopeforthewarriors.org.  

Participants will check into their hotels on Tuesday, April 17.  The clinic will begin early the next day.  Along with the sailing clinic, participants will also enjoy local locations and events including a Giants baseball game and a sunset cruise, viewing the Golden Gate Bridge and more.

Simpson is an experienced sailor who has already competed in numerous sailing races including the Singlehanded Transpacific Yacht Race in 2010.  His relationship with Hope For The Warriors® began when he applied to the nonprofit and the A Warrior’s Wish® Program.  Hope For The Warriors® granted the Wish and helped Simpson compete in the Transpacific race that year.

Simpson was wounded in Iraq in 2004.  His first attempt into sailing across the Pacific Ocean ended in his second near death experience.  He was rescued by a freight boat and dropped off in China.  He biked from Hong Kong to London, England—a route of more than 8,000 miles.  To read Simpson’s complete story, visit:  www.hopeforthewarriors.org/ronnie.html.  Or read his blog:  http://openbluehorizon.com/.  

Sponsorship opportunities are available to support both the clinic and Simpson’s racing schedule.  For more information, contact Jenlene Nowak, jnowak@hopeforthewarriors.org.  

The mission of Hope For The Warriors® (www.hopeforthewarriors.org) is to enhance quality of life for U.S. service members and their families nationwide who have been adversely affected by injuries or death in the line of duty. Hope For The Warriors® actively seeks to ensure that the sacrifices of wounded and fallen warriors and their families are never forgotten nor their needs unmet.

Hope For The Warriors® has earned a Four-Star rating from Charity Navigator (www.charitynavigator.org), an independent organization that evaluates fiscal responsibility and accountability of nonprofits.

Hope For The Warriors® (Federal Tax ID 20-5182295) is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charity as defined in sections 509(A)(1) and 170(B)(1)(A)(VI) of the Internal Revenue Code.  Combined Federal Campaign, CFC #27800.

# # #

Hope For The Warriors® is a national nonprofit organization that assists combat wounded service members, their families, and families of the fallen.