ODU SAILORS HOST "SAILAPALOOZA" FOR OPERATION SMILE
The Old Dominion University intercollegiate sailing team is hosting free and open to the public introductory sailing lessons and excursions as part of the "Sailapalooza" fundraiser for Operation Smile Saturday, Sept. 22.
During the event, team members will be collecting small toiletry items and stuffed animals for "smile bags" and financial donations for Operation Smile.
Sailaplooza is a coast-to-coast public sailing outreach supported by the Intercollegiate Sailing Association to utilize College Sailing teams, facilities, and collegiate energy to introduce as many people to the lifetime sport of sailing as possible. In the process, teams hope to build campus awareness for the sailing team, foster community and campus relations.
Operation Smile is a Norfolk-based, non-profit organization that repairs childhood facial deformities while building public and private partnerships that advocate for sustainable healthcare systems for children and families.
The Sailapalooza will be held from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the ODU Sailing Center, located off of Powhatan Avenue next to Whitehurst Hall. The sailing team will be taking people sailing in the fleet of collegiate sailing dinghies. Experienced and qualified sailors may sail a boat solo.
Items needed for an "Operation Smile Bag", which is given to the kids after they recover from their surgery, include:
.85 to 1.4 oz shampoo (screw on top only)
small stuffed animal (beanie baby size)
small comb (no rat tails)
small mirror
new wash cloth
sample size toothpaste
child size toothbrush
hotel size bar of soap
8 pack of crayons
small toy
thin coloring book
(Please note: The items requested are the small, travel size for one simple reason-we need to pack 50 smile bags into a box. Large personal hygiene items take up more room.)
For more information contact Liz Bower, assistant sailing coach at ebower@odu.edu or 683 3387, or Christabelle Fernandez, Operation Smile College Program Coordinator, 321-7787 or cfernandez@operationsmile.org.