In April 2011, it began to rain. A lot. By the first week of May, historic rains and snowmelt had flooded Lake Champlain to a record-setting 103.2 feet above sea level. And on May 7, those floodwaters swept past our docks and through our front door. Over the next few weeks, we watched helplessly as our offices flooded, waves battered equipment, and the sailing season’s opening date became increasingly elusive. From donated office space on higher ground, we crossed our fingers and waited.
As the water finally began to recede, we got to work assessing the damage, cleaning, and counting our blessings to have such a dedicated community of volunteers, die-hard supporters, and a healthy dose of optimism. Now, with a steadfast opening date of July 4, we need to raise enough funds to cover lost revenue and damages to help the Sailing Center recover – and spend the rest of the season staying afloat.
