Looking for help with a good scuba-related cause!

[msprzeor]

Hello -

I'm a teacher in Arizona and my husband and I are certified divemasters.
Last year we started an underwater explorers club for the kids at my
school who are ages 10-12. It is a free after-school program and we meet
once a week for an hour. We have about 30 kids in the club who are excited
to learn about ocean life...especially since we live in a desert! Right
now we are teaching them about the ocean and aquatic life. We are
currently working on our instructor certification so we can get them
certified as PADI Seals and Junior Divers. Last year we had a couple
independent instructors (www.chipoladivers.com) volunteer their time to run those programs and the
kids had a blast. Unfortunately, the instructors moved to Florida so the
kids have to wait for us to get certified before they get in the water
again, but they can't wait. Since the program ran so successfully last
year, we have had a lot of interest in it from students and families and
are hoping to expand upon it. At the end of the school year we would like
to take a trip to California to visit an aquarium, the tide pools & do
some snorkeling/diving in the La Jolla Cove.

Our club was successful last year because of the support and donations
we received both locally and across the country (Thanks to Joe and Larry as well!) We were wondering if anyone out there has anything they'd be
willing to donate to our students this year. We would love to be able to
offer the Seal Team experience to every kid in the club for free. As you
know, this isn't the cheapest sport and it requires a lot of gear...we
could use anything you can offer! We can especially use masks, fins and
snorkels.

We would gladly take anything you can donate and we greatly
appreciate any help!!! Feel free to pass this on to anyone you think may
be interested in helping kids learn to dive and gain a greater
appreciation for the underwater environment. Thanks for your time &
consideration. Have a wonderful day!

Thanks,
Mindy & Kris Przeor
http://www.mpsaz.org/wilson/staff/ms...underwater.htm

PM with any questions and I'll get back to you ASAP!

[greyzen]

oh my god that is the coolest ever.
I think I just spent my Gift card.

Larry, would it be possible for me to transfer my card to this cause?
if not, lemme know and I can work something else out.

[msprzeor]

Greyzen, Thanks a million! We just got your Pm and are ever thankful for your donation! Pictures of the kids in action can be found via the link in the original post, but directly here...

http://www.mpsaz.org/wilson/staff/ms...ater/seals.htm
and
http://www.mpsaz.org/wilson/staff/ms...er/scuba/1.htm

[dallasdivergirl]

I will be back on the 11th. I can donate a weight belt, mask, booties and a snorkle.....

[msprzeor]

Originally Posted by dallasdivergirl

I will be back on the 11th. I can donate a weight belt, mask, booties and a snorkle.....

Thanks a bunch! You've got a PM!

[greyzen]

Originally Posted by msprzeor

Greyzen, Thanks a million! We just got your Pm and are ever thankful for your donation! Pictures of the kids in action can be found via the link in the original post, but directly here...

http://www.mpsaz.org/wilson/staff/ms...ater/seals.htm
and
http://www.mpsaz.org/wilson/staff/ms...er/scuba/1.htm

That is so freakin awesome!

Like I said in PM, I am just beyond myself at how amazing it is that people donate their time and efforts for this sort of thing.
It's really hard to get enthusiastic about much as a kid when both your parents are working and/or not interested in what you are.

After school programs are so important to our kids and I'm so glad I could help out, I hope others will to.

[msprzeor]

We've had so much fun working with the kids and seeing the excitement on their faces as they breath underwater for the first time ... kids don't hold anything back! Since we were unable to offer the programs completely free last year, we didn't have the turn-out we hoped for ... which is why we're working hard to get the necessary stuff to do Seal Team at no charge for each kid. We definitely appreciate the generous donations and support we're recieving - you are helping to change these kids' lives!

[przeor]

Just an update on the club- so far we've had a dive shop in the Phoenix area offer to work with us, pool donation a possibility!!, we've also begun receiving goodies from the dive companies- just got a box of snazzy baseball hats and decals from DiveRite, rumors of a few more goodies on the way (stickers, etc.). And a few shops (Scubatoys included!) have made mention of throwing some goodies together for us! We're just getting ready to send out a check to purchase 5 full sets of gear for the kids from ST Forums own Freediver at a price that makes us smile

Thanks to all who have helped so far!

[przeor]

Big thanks to ST Forums own diversteve for sending not one, but three boxes of fins! Multiple pair in each box and great or brand new condition! We've had them arrive at various times over the past week or so as a total surprise! That kind of generousity is greatly appreciated and what this program is all about!

[divedeeper]

My wife and I hope to start a charity / NPO deal very similar to what you are doing, but also to include teens and others. Thank you for sharing your experiences. It gives me so much hope, courage, and encouragement. Thanks!! We will be praying for your cause and hope our organizations can one day be friends, once ours exists!