October 2022        

There’s a breeze at Shake-A-Leg Miami now that feels just a bit lighter. It’s dropped it’s summer weight and carries a hint of fall. The fall breeze doesn’t sit the way the humid air of summer does; it moves. It flutters with the wind, touching the soft waves of the Bay and carrying the scent on. Above the birds are active in the sky again, a frenzy to find their seasonal home. It feels as if everything at Shake-A-Leg is shifting. From the fun and excitement of summer camp, Shake-A-Leg Miami is back to Fall groove. Our classroom and workshops host transitioning and vocational students, and the hanger crew is busily preparing for the winter regatta season.

One constant remains. We are welcoming our community and exploring the beauty of the seasons together. This month we have action packed weekends with Saturday We Can Sail and our Sunday Social. The whole community is invited, join us! Scholarships available!

Give Miami Day may be one of the nation's largest 24-hour annual giving events, but you don't have to wait. Shake-A-Leg Miami is always grateful for your donations. It's easy to donate. Start with this button:

At Shake-A-Leg Miami, Highschool Mentors are paired with youth with disabilities. High school mentors sign up for community service hours but leave with life-long memories shared by the youth they help. Just ask Amanda who wrote about her experience working with Mimi this past summer. Mimi still visits us on Saturdays, but Amanda now studies at her first choice of colleges with a helpful scholarship thanks to her essay on her experience at Shake-A-Leg Miami. You can read more about it on our website, or you can follow Amanda's footprints and join the crew.

Amanda (mentor) and Mimi (camper), Summer 2022

Our newest mentors-in-training program includes training and development courses from Shake-A-Leg Miami during the school year in preparation for our exciting Summer Camp.

Do you know a middle schooler who wants to join the crew?  

Veterans at Shake-A-Leg marking the start what is sure to be a good regatta season with big smiles

Regatta season set sail with the annual Columbus Day Regatta. Shake-A-Leg Miami had 7 boats participate with close to 100 boats participating overall in the event sponsored by Coral Reef Yacht and Bacardi. There was wonderful weather and lot of happy sailors. This was just the beginning as thousands of professional sailors from all over the world will come to Miami's own Biscayne Bay to compete in a series of regattas from November to April. Fleets such as Melges 20's, Melges 24, J-70's, Etchells, Marstrom 32's, and more will compete to crown National and World Champions. South Bayshore Drive will be filled with the energy that legends are made of.

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.

Deborah Mellen, The Impossible Dream Chairman, sharing smiles and inspiring dreams!

Shake-A-Leg Miami is honored to welcome the Impossible Dream home after a busy and successful tour of the East Coast where it partnered with over 60 disability groups, creating access to the water for over 1,000 disabled persons, and visited 18 ports including Baltimore, Boston and Brooklyn.

Patrick DoLuca’s Ship Log:

"The final leg of our summer tour from Annapolis to Miami began with a delay due to maintenance.  A new headstay and foil took two long days to replace. Guest crew members and wheelchair users Steve Baker and myself were excited for the adventure ahead.  We then set sail for three days straight and made it to Hilton Head, SC to stock up on provisions and stay the night.  The wind and sea conditions were challenging at times but our four hour watch schedule at the helm kept us focused on the task at hand; delivering the boat to Miami.  Finally the last three days of sailing down the coast to arrive at Shake-A-Leg Miami.  After a long seven days at sea, the warm welcome we received from everyone at Shake-A-Leg Miami made it felt like we were home."

As with any long journey, the Impossible Dream has worked hard and is in need of some tender loving care. The boat will be hauled out for repair in order to be ready for the exciting schedule of outings to happen in 2023. Watch this space for when you can come catch the wheelchair dance group on board and more!

Abilities Expo | Miami returns November 4-6. You’ll find the latest products technologies and resources for people with mental and physical disabilities. Bring the family to explore activities from art to an adaptive climbing wall.  And don’t forget to stop by Shake-A-Leg Miami at booth 518 for a special take away. 

Vets Bay Day on November 13th from 10am-2pm Shake A leg Miami will be hosting a day on the bay to honor our Veterans who have served. Veterans and their families, will have the opportunity to engage with the public in watersports such as kayaking, sailing, and powerboat rides. Also, this will officially launch SALMS Veterans With or Without Disabilities (VWWD) programs such as adaptive fishing, sailing, paddle, and our one-of-a-kind boat building program. Come out for free food, refreshments, and watersports.   

Looking forward...

• November 17   Ransom Middle School Service Day 

• December 10  90th Birthday Celebration for the Historic USCG Hanger

• December 13   Bacardi invitational sailing Regatta

• December 26-30  Orange Bowl Youth Regatta

If you haven't seen it yet, click below to view our public gallery. Check out the magic and smiles of your kids captured in the moment. Access, download, share and keep the memories of our summer camp 2022. Thank You for being a part of the Shake-A-Leg Summer Camp 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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