WaterFire seeks donations for handicap accessible boat

WaterFire is looking donations to help keep a special program alive.

The organization started a Kickstarter campaign to buy a new boat for the Access Program, which provides free rides for people with mobility issues or disabilities.

"Sadly, the WaterFire Access Program was suspended in November 2017," according to WaterFire. "In order for us to resume this beloved program, we need a boat! The goal of this KickStarter campaign is to raise $10,000 which will cover the purchase of a pontoon boat which we will retrofit to allow for handicap access. This involves widening doorways and aisles and making adjustments to the railings."

The program had been in place for 11 years, with organizers and volunteers eager to start it up again.

“The smiles on their faces. To see them being part of life again, versus sitting in their room in WaterFire,” said Mark Karas, a volunteer boat caption for WaterFire. “The most satisfying thing to me is the joy of giving to these people, seeing them happy and making them feel like they’re part of the community again.”

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