Paddles for young paddlers

 

and beach bags to support this terrific endeavor

As indicated in earlier posts, photography is my passion.  Paddling is theirs.  Merge the two and I think you have a winning combination.

The Extra Large Tote (shown above) measures 17.5" X 11.5" X 5" and is $60.00.  All proceeds from the sale of Photo Beach Bags support the purchase of paddles for the Kai'Opua and Keauhou Canoe Clubs.  Contact lois@freshperspectives.org to place your order!

       

In addition to the tremendous lessons learned from participating in a team sport, the club’s focus is to:

• help improve self esteem
• increase pride and knowledge of Hawaiian culture
• help to fight childhood obesity
• educate kids about health and nutrition
• play a role in giving back to the community
• guide children while keeping them off the streets

Yearly cost for each child to participate in the paddling program per is as follows:

• $40 club registration
• $30 paddling jersey
• $150 paddle
• each bus is $500 round trip to the Hilo for quarterly regattas  

Crews that qualify for the state races always have to fundraise for an interisland trip.

Flight costs are approximately $6,000 for the group to travel to mainland states

To this point, the clubs have shared a tiny strip of land near the beach at the Kailua Pier where they stack canoes with four other clubs.  They are in the process of building a canoe halau; it will be our first home for Kai'Opua.

The power behind this terrific program?  Thibert and Rebekah Lussia'a with son, Heimata.

“Both Thibert and I have a heart for our local youth and do whatever we can to help steer them on a more productive and positive path.”  

For anyone interested in supporting this fine endeavor above and beyond the bags:

Checks should be written to Keauhou Canoe Club or Kai’Opua Canoe Club, 73-1542 Hao Way, Kailua-Kona, HI.  96740, which both Rebekah and Thibert coach.  Your money will help underwrite costs incurred in race transportation.  The canoe clubs are non-profit so a receipt for your donation can be sent if requested.  

Realize that any support goes a long way.

Coming full circle

Yesterday I described how plastic-lined purses played a pivotal role in my childhood.  Somewhat of a stretch but I couldn't pass up the alliterative opportunity/is that a word?

I love photography.  Many kids in Kona love paddling but cannot cover the costs.  Photo bags, particularly beach bags, seemed like a perfect fit. 

Here are the details:

• Eco-friendly, bags are constructed from twelve layers of recycled paper with laminated photos on each panel, inside and out
• Sturdy and strong, each is embroidered with decorative stitching to compliment images
• Water resistant, they’re perfect for toting belongings to the beach, groceries from the market or  perhaps a pooped pooch

The Extra Large Tote (shown below), measures 17.5" X 11.5" X 5" and is $60.00.  All proceeds will be donated to two kid's padding clubs in Kona.  Details about paddles and paddlers in an upcoming blog.

More photo bag options coming later this week along with order info.  Stay tuned. 

Please email me at lois@freshperspectives.org if you would like to support this paddling endeavor with the purchase of one or more bags.

Yesterday I explained how plastic-lined purses played a pivotal role in my childhood.  Somewhat of a stretch but as you might have noticed, I’m totally in love with alliteration. 

So here they are.  Beach bags made from my photos.  All proceeds from the sale of the bags benefit paddling clubs for kids in Kona, Hawaii.  I’ll post background info on paddlers and paddles later this week.

Meanwhile, here are the details:

Eco-friendly beach bags are constructed from twelve layers of recycled paper with laminated photos on each panel, inside and out. Sturdy and strong, each bag is embroidered with decorative stitching to compliment the each image. Since they’re water resistant, they’re perfect for toting your belongings to the beach. Or groceries from the market.  

Always prepared

"Coming full circle?"

My mom equipped my sister and me with the plastic-lined, no-drip, handbags far before anybody ever thought about leaving a restaurant with a bag for your pooch or tomorrow's breakfast.  Gwenn was Out There.  And we were hungry.  Not living-on-the-streets hungry but we definitely appreciated the once-a-year Free Food Fest that became a part of our family tradition for as long as I can remember.

My Dad worked in Chicago as an FBI (or CIA/longer story) agent specializing in Russian Espionage.  For whatever reason/we never asked/he would spend time bumming/literally dressed incognito/in the city. In the process, he scoped out some pretty good restaurants. 

Periodically we would hop in our Studebaker and head north for dinner.  Our goal: To pack our purses with as much buffet food as possible.  We quickly learned that you could stuff food in other places as well.  Such as coat sleeves.  I distinctly remember shaking down and scarfing up cream puffs as we drove home.  What better way to end a meal?

It's only natural that my life would come full circle so that I'm now toting plastic purses myself.  Everywhere.  But not for leftovers.  For kids.

Kona kids, specifically. 

More on this tomorrow.  Or the next day.