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The kids set sail aboard the historic schooner Roseway<\/i>, a registered U.S. National Historic Landmark that splits its time between Boston, Massachusetts, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The Roseway<\/i> is one of only three original Grand Banks schooners left in operation today. The experiential programs offered aboard Roseway<\/i> are as diverse as the students themselves, ranging from half-day programs to multi-week expeditions. The students are empowered to reach their full potential through sail training, team building, communication and leadership skills. Hands-on programs give the students the opportunity to participate in a richly rewarding learning atmosphere. They\u2019re engaged and challenged in a way that traditional classrooms can\u2019t offer.<\/p>\n
When Barbara heard about World Ocean School\u2019s mission, she was eager to lend a hand. She began volunteering on Roseway<\/i> in 2006 doing whatever was needed, including painting, whipping lines and raising sails. She spent one summer as the onboard cook while the ship was docked in Boston Harbor and loved every minute of it. But her desire to help only grew.<\/p>\n
A few years ago, she purchased a tote bag that a crew member had made using the Roseway\u2019s<\/i> old sails. And that sparked an idea. After receiving permission from the executive director of World Ocean School, she began sewing tote bags made from the Roseway\u2019s<\/i> distinctive tanbark sails, once they\u2019re retired, of course, as a way to raise money for the school\u2019s educational programs. She was looking to get back into sewing, and this cause was just the inspiration she needed.<\/p>\n Barbara sews the tote bags with her Ultrafeed\u00ae LSZ using V-92 thread, which she says gives the bags an industrial look that adds to the beauty of the sailcloth. She also has an embroidery sewing machine, which she uses to embroider the World Ocean School logo onto the front of the bags. She turned her sewing hobby into a way to serve her community and help at-risk youth, and that\u2019s something we can all be inspired by.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s what Barbara had to say about her work with the organization: \u201cI wholeheartedly back the mission of World Ocean School. As a small nonprofit, they run fairly lean in many aspects, except when it comes to programming for the kids. When I read the \u201cShip\u2019s Logs\u201d that are posted on the website, I\u2019m so amazed at what the kids say about their experiences. You can see that it\u2019s truly life-changing for them in a positive way. Many of the kids, both in Boston and St. Croix, live near the ocean but often don\u2019t have any connection to it and its place in our world. The programming of World Ocean School makes that connection.\u201d<\/p>\n In addition to the educational programs scheduled throughout the year, the Roseway<\/i> is open to the public for special sailing trips and other events. These public events provide an opportunity for the school to spread public awareness of their mission and to raise money to keep the school going. It\u2019s during these public events that Barbara\u2019s unique tote bags are sold, with 100 percent of the proceeds going to World Ocean School\u2019s ongoing educational programs.<\/p>\n Barbara has stayed connected to World Ocean School for 12 years now, helping out however she can, whether that\u2019s sewing the tote bags, grocery shopping or standing in as a cook. She even served on a committee to organize a successful fundraiser called Walk the Plank. Through it all, she remains steadfast in her belief that World Ocean School changes kids\u2019 lives for the better, opening them up to opportunities and experiences they would never have otherwise, and she\u2019s grateful for the dedicated staff of employees and volunteers who keep the program alive.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is awe-inspiring to me how hard the crew works to keep the ship running, while at the same time acting as educators for these kids. I\u2019m inspired by how World Ocean School touches the lives of so many young people, and I\u2019m thrilled that I\u2019m able to contribute, in a unique way, to their mission by making these bags for them to sell.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n If you\u2019d like to learn more about World Ocean School, please visit www.worldoceanschool.org.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Sailrite is your one-stop DIY shop! We are a passionate crew of do-it-yourselfers who strive to equip you with the supplies and how-to knowledge you need to tackle your next project. Do you want to learn upholstery, leatherwork, canvaswork, hobby sewing, bag making or more? We have the fabric, tools, hardware, sewing machines and notions you need to master any DIY. And even if you’ve never sewn before, our tutorials and how-to videos are designed for beginners and experienced crafters alike.<\/span><\/p>\n Start your DIY journey today: www.sailrite.com<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"![\"two](\"https:\/\/www.sailrite.com\/meet-our-customers\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/two-tote-bags.png\")
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Who We Are<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n