The 19th Annual Kayak for Kids fundraiser for Queen Louise Home for Children is this Sunday, Lutheran Services has announced. The event is set to kick-off the summer and raise over $20,000 for the residential foster care program.
The program is a safe-haven for children in the Virgin Islands who are abused, neglected, and/or abandoned. Proceeds from the event will benefit the 20 residents currently in the program and other vulnerable children from across the Virgin Islands who may be placed by the Department of Human Services.
Kayak for Kids is considered a summer tradition on St. Croix for water sports fans and beach-lovers. With the beaches still recovering from the 2017 hurricanes, this year’s route will feature the scenic shorelines of Frederiksted. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m., and launch is set for 11:00 AM. The course will start at Fort Frederick Beach and head north for a turn-around at Cowboy Beach. Paddlers and kayakers will continue towards the Vincent Mason Pool and head back to Fort Frederick beach. There is a $50 registration gift per participant, and donations can be made online at www.lssvi.org/kayak or on-site on Sunday. There are also a few kayaks that can be reserved for a gift of $20. The event will finish with an afternoon picnic, raffle, surprise prizes and music at Fort Frederick Beach.
Over the years, Queen Louise Home for Children has been supported by community “champions” who fundraised to help the program reach its annual goals. Two long-time friends and organizers, Mr. Julio ”JT” Torres and Luther Edwards, have kept the fun alive. Their annual fundraising duel this year has raised nearly $12,000. Ryan Stutzman, who was one of the first paddlers when the event started in 1999, is also fundraising in partnership with Leatherback Brewing Company and is volunteering as event’s safety lead. Others are also encouraged to solicit sponsorships of family and friends to benefit the program.
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