Scuba For Charity

[scubasavvy]

Hi kids,

I was on the "T" the last night with a set of fins that I was bringing over to a friend to try when a woman and her son (who had Down Syndrome I believe) sat down across from me. The son saw the fins in my hand and started grabbing for them, so I let him hold them and look at them for a while. The mother explained to me that her son enjoyed watching shows that had to do with the ocean and for him to meet a scuba diver was a big thing. As she got off the "T" a few stops later, she apologized for the trouble he had caused me, which was none at all as far as I was concerned, and thanked me for being so kind.

Right then and there it hit me. How lucky was I to be able to be 20 years old and living on my own, let alone to be able to dive under the ocean. Some things we just take for granted.

Anywho, I've been thinking a lot about things and I was wondering how hard it would be to organize a charity dive? I've heard of them being done before, but I would like to host one here on the East Cost this spring when the weather warms back up a bit. Any thoughts on how to go about it and how to pick a reputable charity? All ideas are welcome. Thanks in advance for your help.

[lovesmexico615]

ScubaSavvy- I'd be interested in doing this as well. I'll need to get the information from a friend of mine, but she was telling me about a local charity that helps put together birthday parties for kids whose parents can't afford to do so. I know it's a little less conventional, but I think it's great for these kids who have attended friends birthdays, but never had one of their own. Let me know what you end up working out, or if I can help you organize it at all!

[MSilvia]

I'd probably be interested too. Keep me posted!

[scubasavvy]

Originally Posted by lovesmexico615

ScubaSavvy- I'd be interested in doing this as well. I'll need to get the information from a friend of mine, but she was telling me about a local charity that helps put together birthday parties for kids whose parents can't afford to do so. I know it's a little less conventional, but I think it's great for these kids who have attended friends birthdays, but never had one of their own. Let me know what you end up working out, or if I can help you organize it at all!

Man, that's an awesome idea. I wish my parents would have given me a scuba birthday. Let me know if you can find anything on that. We'll see what we can do...

[lovesmexico615]

I'll get the info and pm you with it. It would be great to put something together.

[DownDeep]

Hey bro, what a great idea!! I am in the Navy, stationed in Italy right now. The NNSAC (NATO Naples Sub Acqua Club) is who I affiliate with, along with several dive shops in the area and if you can get me the information, I will get an event together with a dive shop here, or with the club and shoot the money to the organization etc with plenty of publicity in Italy, the military community and the club, of course. Let me know. Jay@naplesbound.net or john.walker@cne.naples.navy.mil and I will see if we can't make it happen!

[lovesmexico615]

Originally Posted by DownDeep

Hey bro, what a great idea!! I am in the Navy, stationed in Italy right now. The NNSAC (NATO Naples Sub Acqua Club) is who I affiliate with, along with several dive shops in the area and if you can get me the information, I will get an event together with a dive shop here, or with the club and shoot the money to the organization etc with plenty of publicity in Italy, the military community and the club, of course. Let me know. Jay@naplesbound.net or john.walker@cne.naples.navy.mil and I will see if we can't make it happen!

I love seeing the generosity of the people on this board. I have a friend who is starting to get involved with "Birthday Wishes" Birthday Wishes - Homeless children receive birthday parties through this grassroots organization! I think this is a great cause, but I'm not sure how to proceed with putting together an event. I'm open to other suggestions for giving as well, I just am starting to hear firsthand about this one.

[scubasavvy]

Nice, I'll see what I can do on my end. Thanks for all the info. Perhaps we can get ScubaToys and the forum involved somehow? MWhities started a thread earlier about donating money for gear for a kid, maybe we could do an online donation box via Paypal for whatever charity work we decide to do. Any more ideas?