T
Constants Foundation’s Second Annual Fundraiser
he second annual Olivia Constants Foundation Fundraiser will take place Saturday, May 10 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Mears Marina in Annapolis. The evening will feature live music by the Dan Haas Band, Sunday luncheon, delicious food and refreshments from local restaurants, a small auction, and a 50/50 raffle. It promises to be a wonderful way celebrate the life of an extraordinary young woman and to support the Constants Foundation mission: To do all the good we can, for whomever we can, in the spirit of Olivia. Fourteen year-old Olivia Constants tragically lost her life in a sailing accident near the Naval Academy in Annapolis on June 23, 2011. With the proceeds of the May 10 fundraiser, foundation leaders seek to enhance their ability to make a difference in their three areas of focus. First, awarding scholarships to help students pursuing college degrees and giving
grants to help disadvantaged youth participate in sailing programs at SSA. Second, partnering with other local 501c3 organizations that fit with what Olivia would have liked to do (not what a bunch of parents might like). Third, encouraging volunteerism, such as serving breakfast at the Lighthouse Shelter and supporting student led food drives and other events in Olivia’s name. In 2013, the foundation awarded scholarships to 14 deserving local high school seniors, and recently it awarded grants to both Central Middle School and Monarch Academy to support their bullying prevention programs. The foundation is proud to support their respective programs, Bully Awareness Crew and the student-led One Project, and help create an environment that allows each student the opportunity to reach his or her own full potential. To purchase tickets ($100), apply for grants or scholarships, and learn more, visit oliviaconstants.org
Farewell to Friends S
Steve Black
teve Black didn’t start sailing recreationally until he was in his mid-30s, but once he did, he was hooked. The Midwesterner learned from single-handed sailors and was soon making his own single-handed transatlantic passages. He founded the Lake Michigan Single-Handed Society and soon after found himself leaving a job in educational publishing to be the executive director of the U.S. Sailing Association in Newport. Steve decided to retire from U.S. Sailing in 1988, but he didn’t plan on retiring from the sailing scene. He became the manager for the Sailing World NOOD regattas around the country and worked to build the events. But Black was frustrated by the fact that while cruising sailors far outnumber racing sailors, there were virtually no opportunities for organized cruising events. To amend this, he founded the Caribbean 1500 rally with the goal of offering cruisers the chance to embark on adventures together. Follow us!
The rally (or 1500, as it is affectionately known) prepared cruisers with preparatory safety at sea courses, provided a SSB radio safety net while they were offshore, and lent the aspect of “safety in numbers.” That the social aspect of the 1500 came to be such a huge draw for cruising sailors is perhaps built out of Steve’s easygoing demeanor and friendly personality. He worked adamantly to match crew with boats, fostered personal connections with cruisers, and introduced new sailors to the world of ocean sailing regardless of their experience. Many of those new sailors stuck around the sailing scene. “Steve put me on a 1500 boat back in 2006, which was my first offshore passage, and helped me make connections in the ocean sailing world,” said Andy Schell, the event manager for the 1500. “Steve was a huge inspiration. It’s an honor to carry his legacy into the future.” SpinSheet May 2014 23