Good Dirt

On August 9, 2008, paddlers will navigate the 38-mile perimeter of Aquidneck Island to raise money for two local nonprofits at the 2^nd Annual Aquidneck Island Paddle. All proceeds from the Paddle will benefit the Aquidneck Land Trust and Lucy’s Hearth.

The event begins at 7 am, from Third Beach in Middletown. Participants in the Paddle will be divided into relay teams. Each participant will paddle for 15 minutes before handing off to the next team member. In the evening, paddlers will head to the Norman Bird Sanctuary section of Third Beach at 6pm, for a post-paddle cookout. For non-paddlers who would like to join the party, the Bird Sanctuary will charge a $10 entry fee.  Please contact the Norman Bird Sanctuary at 401-846-2577 or through their website at www.normanbirdsanctuary.org to make reservations for the cookout.  Pre-registration is encouraged as space is limited.  Money raised through the cookout will go to benefit Norman Bird Sanctuary programs and property maintenance. 

The event founders, brothers Matt and Kevin Kirby said, “This is an event that has notably appealed to younger generations, as something within their reach and interest. We wanted to give people of all ages a way to help the community and participate in something that benefits two worthy non-profits on the Island.”

This year, paddle teams include participants from as far as Hawaii and California in the racing division. The event, in its second year is already attracting paddlers nationwide.  

Paddlers must register and pay a $100 fee to participate in the event. If you would like to sponsor a paddler or a team, contact Jessica Pohl at the Aquidneck Land Trust at 401-849-2799 or jpohl@ailt.org by July 31.  These funds will be used to support the Aquidneck Land Trust through their Merritt Neighborhood Fund grant giving program, and programs at Lucy’s Hearth. 

The ALT’s mission is to preserve Aquidneck Island's open spaces and natural character for the lasting benefit of our community. ALT has conserved more than 1,983 acres on Aquidneck Island since its inception in 1990. The Land Trust is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.  For more information, visit www.AquidneckLandTrust.org or call (401) 849-2799.

Lucy’s Hearth is a 24-hour emergency and transitional shelter for mothers and their children who are homeless due to economic hardship, family crisis, divorce, eviction, and severe shortage of safe, affordable housing. The primary goal is to foster independence and help the residents gain the life skills necessary to prevent future chronic homelessness.  Lucy’s Hearth is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.  For more information call (401) 847-2021.

As always, thank you for your continued support
for conservation on our Island.

This email update has been sent to the entire Aquidneck Land Trust email list. Please let us know if you do not wish to receive these email updates by replying to this message. If you have any questions or comments, please call 401-849-2799 x18 or jpohl@ailt.org.