Challenged America seeks your generosity

by Captain Eric Berkey/Challenged America on 29 Dec 2013 As you think about your holiday and year-end gift-giving, please remember the 501(c)(3) Disabled Businesspersons Association's Challenged America program.

Challenged America provides adaptive sailing to kids, adults and veterans with disabilities at no charge to the participants.

Your tax-deductible donation to Challenged America will give a disabled veteran, adult or child with a disability the gifts of Self-reliance, Independence, Self-Confidence and much more.

Please consider Challenged America during this gift-giving time of year, and then come on down to the dock to see how your generosity is being utilized. Better yet, come on down and volunteer and join the others who contribute their time, expertise and resources to assure that Challenged America continues for another 36-plus years.

'One of the greatest challenges faced by spinal cord injury survivors, especially quadriplegics like myself, is our loss of independence. Prior to my injury, I lived a very active lifestyle, much of which centered around the Sea. As a lifelong waterman, professional mariner, and scuba instructor, I was crushed by the notion of being sidelined and I worried that I would be relegated to watching from the shore or, at best, simply riding along as a passive spectator.

'Six months after being released from the hospital, my good friend Dave introduced me to Challenged America, an amazing group of sailors who volunteer their time and energy to provide people with disabilities the opportunity to get out on the water. I was thrilled to learn that, thanks to their fleet of adaptive Martin 16 sailboats, I can be an active participant in sailing - steering the vessel and trimming the sails myself!

'Competing in the monthly regattas has become one of the highlights of my life and has ignited a passion for yacht racing that keeps me excited and inspired. I can honestly say that when I'm sailing a Martin 16 on San Diego Bay, I forget about the empty wheelchair waiting back on the dock! Thank you for supporting this wonderful organization!'

Why Donate to the Disabled Businesspersons Assocation's Challenged America program?

• 100% of your generous gift goes directly into the program.
• There are no salaries or hidden administrative or fundraising costs.
• Challenged America is an all-volunteer program, as are all the programs with the DBA charity.
• The DBA and all its programs are overseen and directed by volunteers from the community.

You can make your tax-deductible donation by check to 'Challenged America' and mail directly to the Challenged America office or online at www.ChallengedAmerica.org and use your credit card to make your gift via PayPal.

Recurring monthly donations can also be set up through PayPal. This is an extremely valuable way to help support Challenged America on an on-going basis.

Many employers will make matching donations when their employees donate to charitable causes. Check to see if your employer might have such a program. You might be able to double the impact of your gift!

Challenged America
at Sunroad Resort Marina

955 Harbor Island Dr., Suite 130
San Diego, California 92101

(619) 523-9318

Ahoy@ChallengedAmerica.org

Tax-Exempt (EIN) #: 33-0484461 - Disabled Businesspersons Association