Tweet
AMB. EVANS COMPLETES SAIL ACROSS ATLANTIC IN SUPPORT OF COAF KIDS
By Contributor on July 11, 2014
http://www.armenianweekly.com/2014/07/11/amb-evans-completes-sail-across-atlantic-support-coaf-kids/
NEW YORK--Former U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John Evans arrived in
Portugal on June 14 after an adventurous sailing expedition on the
43-foot yacht "Happy Destiny" in support of the Children of Armenia
Fund (COAF). This represented the very first trans-Atlantic crossing
on a sailboat for Evans, as well as his fellow crew members Ray
Smith, Randal Wright, and Don Kneedler. "Happy Destiny" departed from
Portsmouth, Va., on May 3 making port in Bermuda and the Azores, and
finally landing in southern Portugal, having successfully completed
a 3,260-mile journey.
"Happy Destiny" departed from Portsmouth, Va., on May 3 making port
in Bermuda and the Azores, and finally landing in southern Portugal,
having successfully completed a 3,260-mile journey.
"It is necessary to take risks, but important to prepare for coping
with any situation," Evans said. "A good team can deal with any
problem if there is trust and loyalty between members. Never give up
in pursuing your goal, but be flexible in how you get there.
Appreciate small pleasures in life, such as sleeping in a warm place
and having dry clothes. Help others and they will help you. COAF
symbolizes this philosophy," he continued. "Hence my dedication
of this symbolic journey for the children who have lived a life of
hardship and now appreciate the good deeds of COAF sponsors."
Former U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John Evans arrived in Portugal on
June 14 after an adventurous sailing expedition on the 43-foot yacht
"Happy Destiny."
Garo Armen, COAF's founder and chairman, stated, "We are deeply
thankful to Ambassador John Evans for having dedicated this remarkable
undertaking to COAF. We are also deeply thankful to all his COAF
supporters for having contributed to this fundraising campaign in
recognition of Ambassador Evans and will keep the campaign open
through the end of June in his honor."
In the mid-Atlantic leg of the trip, the crew braved bad weather with
Atlantic gale force winds. Several boats returned to shore. A boat
sailing nearby the rally, the "Cheeki Rafiki,"made a distress call and
then disappeared. Sadly, the young crew was lost at sea. The sailors
in the World Cruising Club held a moment of silence in their memory.
The Children of Armenia Fund is a non-profit, non-governmental
501(c)(3) organization. COAF uses community-led approaches to reduce
rural poverty, with a particular focus on children. Since the inception
of its programs in 2004, COAF has funded and implemented education,
health, social, and economic development programs serving more than
25,000 people in rural villages of Armenia. The methods COAF uses
in Armenia can be replicated in other communities where children are
most vulnerable. These programs create and sustain opportunities for
growth and progress. For more information, visit www.coafkids.org or
call (212) 994-8234.
By Contributor on July 11, 2014
http://www.armenianweekly.com/2014/07/11/amb-evans-completes-sail-across-atlantic-support-coaf-kids/
NEW YORK--Former U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John Evans arrived in
Portugal on June 14 after an adventurous sailing expedition on the
43-foot yacht "Happy Destiny" in support of the Children of Armenia
Fund (COAF). This represented the very first trans-Atlantic crossing
on a sailboat for Evans, as well as his fellow crew members Ray
Smith, Randal Wright, and Don Kneedler. "Happy Destiny" departed from
Portsmouth, Va., on May 3 making port in Bermuda and the Azores, and
finally landing in southern Portugal, having successfully completed
a 3,260-mile journey.
"Happy Destiny" departed from Portsmouth, Va., on May 3 making port
in Bermuda and the Azores, and finally landing in southern Portugal,
having successfully completed a 3,260-mile journey.
"It is necessary to take risks, but important to prepare for coping
with any situation," Evans said. "A good team can deal with any
problem if there is trust and loyalty between members. Never give up
in pursuing your goal, but be flexible in how you get there.
Appreciate small pleasures in life, such as sleeping in a warm place
and having dry clothes. Help others and they will help you. COAF
symbolizes this philosophy," he continued. "Hence my dedication
of this symbolic journey for the children who have lived a life of
hardship and now appreciate the good deeds of COAF sponsors."
Former U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John Evans arrived in Portugal on
June 14 after an adventurous sailing expedition on the 43-foot yacht
"Happy Destiny."
Garo Armen, COAF's founder and chairman, stated, "We are deeply
thankful to Ambassador John Evans for having dedicated this remarkable
undertaking to COAF. We are also deeply thankful to all his COAF
supporters for having contributed to this fundraising campaign in
recognition of Ambassador Evans and will keep the campaign open
through the end of June in his honor."
In the mid-Atlantic leg of the trip, the crew braved bad weather with
Atlantic gale force winds. Several boats returned to shore. A boat
sailing nearby the rally, the "Cheeki Rafiki,"made a distress call and
then disappeared. Sadly, the young crew was lost at sea. The sailors
in the World Cruising Club held a moment of silence in their memory.
The Children of Armenia Fund is a non-profit, non-governmental
501(c)(3) organization. COAF uses community-led approaches to reduce
rural poverty, with a particular focus on children. Since the inception
of its programs in 2004, COAF has funded and implemented education,
health, social, and economic development programs serving more than
25,000 people in rural villages of Armenia. The methods COAF uses
in Armenia can be replicated in other communities where children are
most vulnerable. These programs create and sustain opportunities for
growth and progress. For more information, visit www.coafkids.org or
call (212) 994-8234.