September 13, 2018
Dear Members & Friends of WSA-OC,
As most of you know, WSA-OC (formerly known as WORSA) has a long history of service to our community. Our signature event for the past 28 years has been the annual Sail for the Visually Impaired (SVI). The SVI program was launched almost 3 decades ago by WORSA members Bonnie Gibson and Bobbie Reed. Over the years this program has provided hundreds of blind and visually impaired individuals the opportunity to take the helm of a sailboat, trim the sails and feel the wind on their face. Our SVI participants are veterans, students of the Braille Institute, Eye-DAS and members of the broader community.
This event has been so successful over the years due to the tireless efforts of volunteers from WSA-OC, the American Legion Post #291, the American Legion Yacht Club, the Lions Club and other local service organizations.
Unfortunately, about three weeks prior to our 2018 SVI event, we learned that the American Legion venue in Newport Beach, where the SVI event is typically hosted, would not be available to us. We have explored relocating the event but, due to the complexity of the SVI and our concern for the safety of our participants, we have decided it is best to postpone this popular event until a new venue can be secured.
We are so very grateful to all of the wonderful volunteers and participants who have made this annual event so popular and so successful. We will be back next year with a bigger and better SVI and will continue our proud tradition.
Most Sincerely,
Melanie Green
Commodore, WSA-OC
