This quote is attributed to Lao Tzu, the founder of Taoism, and was made sometime between the 4th and 6th century BC. Yet here at the Bellingham Yacht Club these words describe our 2009 Sink the Dinghy Campaign.

Since Sink the Dinghy started in 2002 our generosities, and others’ throughout Whatcom County, have made it possible to redeem lives from addiction, tragedy and economic turmoil. But once those chains are broken, what does the future hold for those who graduate from our regions help programs, especially in these tough economic times with unemployment still on the rise? We know that enrollment in technical and community colleges is going up which means that scholarships and grants are harder to come by. Our goal this year is, under the supervision of our Sink the Dinghy Committee and BTC, to create a scholarship fund to enable a graduate from one of the area’s programs like the Lighthouse Mission to successfully enter and complete the Fisheries Technology program at Bellingham Technical College. Our goal is to provide such a graduate, who has overcome so much, hope and a new vocation for the future. This is a wonderful connection between the Bellingham Yacht Club and our Bellingham Community and we hope that you will give generously. So please consider supporting the Sink the Dinghy campaign this year by making a contribution either in cash at the club, or with:

Check Donations – You can mail a check to the Bellingham Yacht Club, 2625 Harbor Loop, Bellingham, WA, 98225. If you would like to receive a tax deduction please make your check out to “BTC” with “Sink the Dinghy Fund” on the comment line. (We will keep your check and present it along with all others and the Clubs check in January) If you are not worried about a tax deduction please make your check out to “BYC” and put on the comment line “Sink the Dinghy Fund”. (We will then combine all such checks into a single check)

Credit Card Donations – You can charge your donation in the lounge when you are visiting the club. Sink the Dinghy is under Special Events in the cash register.

On-Line Donations – You can securely make donations to the Sink the Dinghy fund anywhere you have access to the Internet and Paying Securely with PayPal.

So to all who have contributed thank you. To those who will contribute, thank you. To those who cannot contribute, thank you. And regardless if you have only contributed a dollar, a thousand dollars or no dollars, please watch for the announcement of the January 2010 presentation date where we will literally “Teach a Man To Fish”.

Thank you from your 2009 BYC Sink the Dinghy Committee

John Gargett, Meredith Ross, Fr. Kevin Allen, Matt Dennis

2009-Platinum-Sponsors