THE KEVIN HANSEN FUND
Most of us who have spent time on Fern Ridge have come to know and appreciate the exceptional attitude and skills that Kevin Hansen, a local disabled sailor and racer, has exhibited throughout his years sailing our muddly little pond. Despite the added difficulty and expense to share in the sport we all couldn't live without, Kevin has been a long time fixture on the cruising and racing scene. Those of you newer to Fern Ridge may not even know him because he has been absent from our midst these last few years because of advancement in his disabling condition.
We fully able bodied sailors grouse about the six months we have to give up every year and we take for granted that, come April, we will be back out there getting our sailing fix again. Kevin, a quadraplegic, can no longer do that without the assistance, generosity, and support from all of us.
The Fern Ridge sailing community is notoriously friendly and helpful when a fellow sailor is in need, whatever that need may be... a reputation that well exceeds the bounds of the Willamette Valley. Assisting a long time local disabled sailor in returning to the joy of sailing would be an honorable and generous venture that epitomizes the Corinthian Spirit that abounds amongst us.
To this end, we have established a fund for which we are requesting donations to raise the capital needed to obtain and customize an autohelm that will remove the barriers that have kept this great sailor high and dry. The entire project will cost between $1,200 and $1,400, plus many man hours from several volunteers who are going to do the installation, customization, and teaching Kevin to use the device. We already have donations from a couple of folks who are eager to contribute to such a worthy cause.
The goal is to raise the funds needed by early January so that the autohelm can be ordered right away. It will take the volunteers the remainder of the winter to have Kevin's boat ready to sail by April. Progress toward reaching the monetary goal will be updated regularly on Fernsail. Please mail donations to Leeanne Bale-Fish or to Oregon Community Credit Union. Checks, cashier's checks, or money orders MUST be made out to Leeanne Bale-Fish AND you MUST write "Kevin Hansen Fund - S2" in the MEMO SECTION. Thank you fellow sailors and have a safe, joyous and prosperous New Year!
Cheers ~ Leeanne
Mail to: Leeanne Bale-Fish
3941 Royal Avenue
Eugene, OR 97402
Oregon Community Credit Union
3065 West 11th Avenue
Eugene, OR 97402