November 2022        

We asked our Watersport Camp kids what they're most thankful for this Thanksgiving week, and in true-kid-form, they painted us pictures to show us. It got the Shake-A-Leg crew talking about what we're most thankful for. After family and health, the long and short of it is... YOU.

We're thankful for the people that make Shake-A-Leg memories.

If it wasn't for you, this newsletter would be empty. Instead, it's full of happy characters who will remember their experiences at Shake-A-Leg Miami for years to come. None of it would be possible without your support, attendance and generosity. With it, we are realizing new possibilities every day.

 This month we launched Veterans Programing at the Veterans Bay Day celebration. Check out their boat building, fishing and more on weekdays. We also continued Seaworthy Transitions vocational programs on weekdays. There continues to be action packed weekends with Saturday We Can Sail and our Sunday Social. Join us!

Shake-A-Leg Miami is able to provide access to the water to the entire community of all abilities with thanks to donors like you. It's as easy as a click of the button.

Thanks to you, we were able to exceed our Give Miami Day fundraising goal of $100,000!

Your support and generosity will help children access the water all year long, students with disabilities learn skills for employment, give veterans a sense of community on the water, bring joy to families with a disability, help Shake-A-Leg to continue to bring safe, accessible water access to the entire community and so much more. 

In a unanimous vote last Thursday, the City of Miami Commissioners chose to extend the Shake-A-Leg Miami license agreement for the next 25 years. Above a video from basketball superstar, Alonzo Mourning, was one of many who spoke on behalf of Shake-A-Leg Miami at the meeting. We were humbled by the stories of our family and friends during this meeting and thankful to them, the City of Miami commissioners and administration to be given the opportunity to continue to serve the community with inclusive access to Biscayne Bay.

Celebrating Our Veterans with a Special Bay Day on November 13, 2022

Thank you for joining us in making November's Bay Day extra special in honor of our Veteran Community.

On Sunday Nov 13th Shake a Leg Miami (SALM) and Students Offering Support (SOS) hosted Veterans with or without disabilities Day on the Bay thanking Veterans and family members for their service. Over 100 Veterans, Family, and Volunteers, participated in sailing, kayaking, boat rides, and guest speaker presentations.

Veterans Bay Day was the official launch of all our Veteran programing, including: 

 adaptive sailing

adaptive paddle

fishing

boat building

If any of these programs interest you or a veteran you know, please click the link below:

The Seaworthy Transitions vocational program is hosting young adults with disabilities during the academic year. The group experiences watersport in the morning and gains professional skills working a variety of locations from hospitality to boat building. The Seaworthy Transition program gives young adults with a disability the opportunity to learn professional skills in a marine environment mixed with fun and freeing access to the water via fully accessible kayaks, paddle boards, sailboats and safety boats.  Have someone you think might benefit from this program? We'd love to meet them! Sign up HERE!

Shake-A-Leg Miami is able to serve the community because of your support. Consider making a donation that will improve the lives of youth, families with a disability and veterans. No amount is too small.

Children who attend the three-day camp follow the Spirit of America curriculum for water safety and boat operations

Students from all over the City of Miami as well as Miami Dade County are attending Shake-A-Leg Miami for three days of watersports safety training in partnership of Spirit of America. Students learned the basics in water safety, sailing, paddle, and power boating. Youth who participated in this camp leave with a certificate from Spirit of America and credentials from the Florida Boating Course. Sound fun? 

The U.S. Coast Guard Hanger 90th Anniversary celebration on December 10 celebration will be a Bay Day from 10-2 with special guest speakers from 12:00. Join us for a boat ride, sail, kayak or paddle board, food, music and speaking engagements from very special guests. You won't want to miss this!

Looking forward...

• November 29  Giving Tuesday is another chance to support the shake HERE
• December 4   Registered Volunteer Orientation 12pm, Pre-Register HERE
• December 10   U.S. Coast Guard Hanger 90th Anniversary Celebration 

• December 13   Bacardi invitational sailing Regatta

• December 26-30  Orange Bowl Youth Regatta

In Memory of: Alan Fiske, Lance Hendricks and Barbara Rusetta

These founding members contributed to shaping the organization we are proud to have today. They are role models we aspire to live up to and their memory will live on in Shake-A-Leg. 

If you haven't seen it yet, click below to view our public gallery. Check out the magic and smiles of our Shake-A-Leg Community. Thank You for being a part of the Shake-A-Leg Family!

Join us as we build boats, friendships, and dreams. Thanks to donors like you, we make it possible to provide a safe and inclusive environment for people with disabilities, veterans and their families.

Thank you to our major sponsors and everyone who contributes. You are making it possible to improve the lives of people with disabilities and their families. Below is a list of major donors who have contributed over $10,000.

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