Greetings!
Hello again. Miss you! I hope you and yours are well. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sorry for the silence. I had covid19 myself (a mild but long-running case) and have not been my most organized self after I emerged from that in mid-May. For a while there, I was super busy with logistics and fundraising to get a new, vintage engine for the ship, and we did it! We raised over $13,000 and think the engine will arrive in a week or two.
I write to ask if you have time - and willingness - to volunteer. Volunteering at PortSide is, as with so much else, affected by coronavirus:
- More of our work is virtual, and we need help in that realm. We also have admin work that can be done remotely. There is also shipwork if you have the skills. See our webpage VOLUNTEER for a summary.
- Our physical summer programs are designed but unconfirmed until we confirm volunteers and interns to work the plans.
- We also need to look over the NYS regulations on re-opening. Anyone here a master of that already?
- As payback, since people are craving socially-distanced spaces and outdoor time, we want to offer volunteers access to the ship MARY A. WHALEN and kayaks (depending on skill level). I haven’t set an hour- worked per hours give-back ratio; I’d like to hear whose interested and available first.
- Please look over our project areas below and see if any of this works for you or anyone you know.
First a question, does your employer match hours you volunteer? We’ve learned that some firms will make a cash donation to PortSide (at a rate they set) for hours you volunteer here. Please inquire.
Thanks for whatever you can do! Stay strong, everyone! Brooklyn strong.
Best,
