18th Annual Kayak For Kids On June 11 To Benefit Queen Louise Home For Children

ST. CROIX –  Lutheran Social Services is inviting the community to participate in the 18th Annual Kayak for Kids fundraiser event on Sunday, June 11, according to a press release the nonprofit issued Thursday.

Every summer, the “Kayak for Kids” fundraiser for the Queen Louise Home for Children has been a fun-filled, summertime tradition for teenagers and adults on St. Croix. Individuals on stand up paddle boards and kayaks navigate the waters from Cane Bay Beach to Fort Frederik Beach, paddling around the majestic scenery of Hams Bluff.  The excursion for a great cause gives the community a chance to appreciate the wonderful northwest side of the island of St. Croix, and the summer event has raised over $240,000 since 1999 for the children at Queen Louise Home.

All participants are encouraged to fundraise for Queen Louise Home, and a prize will be awarded to the person who can rally the most sponsorships. There is a $50 registration fee per participant, and donations can be made on-site during registration on the day of the event. Experienced paddlers are welcome to start the long course from Cane Bay Beach. Registration begins at 9:30 am and group departure at 11:00 am. There will be a rest stop at Hams Bay at 12:00 pm where paddlers avoiding the wind and waves of Hams Bluff join for the second leg of the course. Hams Bay registration begins at 12:00 pm and group departure at 1:00 pm.  The event will finish with a picnic party at Fort Frederik Beach.

All event proceeds directly support Queen Louise Home for Children on St. Croix – a residential foster care program that provides a home with love and care to children in the Virgin Islands who have been abused, abandoned, neglected or have severe disabilities and special medical needs.  The 18^th Annual Kayak for Kids will be a special occasion as all the founders of the event will be joining in the fun. Julio “JT” Torres and Angie Morales, longtime supporters of Queen Louise Home and owners of Villa Morales Restaurant, will be joined by Ryan Stutzman, who was one of the first paddlers to take to the water in 1999. Torres and Morales have been involved with the Queen Louise Home for over 30 years, and have spearheaded fundraising efforts with former board president of Lutheran Social Services of the Virgin Islands, Luther Edwards. This year, they have garnered over $11,000 in support so far.

Lutheran Social Services is responsible for raising over $600,000 to ensure vulnerable children, seniors and adults with disabilities in the Virgin Islands have a safe space to call home.  For more information about participating in the 18^th Annual Kayak for Kids, please call Lutheran Social Services at 772-4099 ext. 24 or email info@lssvi.org.