In 2003 GEL partnered with J World Annapolis to create a corporate challenge. Basically, rather than do a team building event for one client, we invited past clients to come out and race each other for a good cause.
Our goal was helping the Kid Set Sail Program fund it’s youth program for the Anacostia region of Washington, DC. Their program is about inspiring kids to achieve through realizing their own potential. Sailing is an empowering vehicle for this valuable lesson.
The event was a huge success, and we soon realized we’d created a model that could be replicated to raise funds for community sailing programs across the county. The mission has grown to help adaptive sailing programs; youth outreach programs and the innovative program from Reach The World, which connects public school kids with a circumnavigation of the globe.
Since its inception, the regatta has generated over $500,000 for four community programs, and created a large team of volunteers and community-minded corporations.
How large is the BIG Team?
- Over 350 people have participated as sailors, sponsors, volunteers, or party-goers
- Over 50 companies have helped sponsor BIG TEAM Regattas with cash and in-kind donations
In 2007, GEL and J World gave our role as event shepherds to a fantastic group of volunteers who created a national non-profit.