Freedom Waters Foundation Receives Grant from Florida American Legion

American Legion Post 404 Commander Lee Rubenstein, Freedom Waters Foundation Founder and Executive Director Debra Frankel, and American Legion Post 404 2nd Vice Commander Yvette Benarroch.

Photos by Maria Lamb

The Freedom Waters Foundation Veteran Meet and Greet. Veterans and their spouses/guests fill the Naples Princess twice a year - the Mondays before Memorial Day and Veterans Day.

Photos by Freedom Waters Foundation

Vietnam Vets Vinnie Rinaldo and Roger Bonaccorsi volunteering at the Veterans Expo, representing and recruiting other veterans for Freedom Waters Foundation.

Photos by Freedom Waters Foundation

Children with special needs enjoy a day in the water with Freedom Waters Foundation aboard Pure Florida’s Double Sunshine. Pure Florida donates for these Weller Day Boat outings.

Photos by Freedom Waters Foundation

Posted Wednesday, August 14, 2024 8:00 pm

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By Maria Lamb

On July 24, 2024, the Florida American Legion, Children and Youth Fund Committee awarded Freedom Waters Foundation a grant totaling $5,000. According to Eunice Butts, Children and Youth Fund Chairman for the Florida American Legion, the grant will go towards providing therapy to forty additional children with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

On August 9, 2024, at Marco Veterans Community Park, American Legion Post 404 Commander Lee Rubenstein and 2nd Vice Commander Yvette Benarroch personally presented the grant award to Debra Frankel, Founder and Executive Director for the Freedom Waters Foundation.

“Our Post believes in the organization’s mission and feels they are an outstanding choice for this grant award and the need in Southwest Florida is great,” said Rubenstein. He urged the decision makers at Florida American Legion to support the Freedom Waters Foundation so they can continue to pursue their mission.

“I have been affiliated with Freedom Waters Foundation as a supporter and a volunteer,” said Benarroch. In her letter to the Florida American Legion recommending the grant, Benarroch wrote, “Freedom Waters work closely with Children’s Hospitals, schools and other local organizations to provide therapeutic boat experiences for children of all ages with many disabilities. Witnessing the significant struggles these children face daily is humbling. The children are so very happy when they get to go boating, they forget their personal issues. They smile and feel empowered by being out on the water and the parents see the joy on their children’s faces. I am honored to be affiliated with this organization.”

According to Ms. Frankel, Freedom Waters Foundation is a 501c3 non-profit organization with almost 19 years of experience providing therapeutic boat outings for children and adults with disabilities, life-threatening illnesses, youths at risk and veterans. According to Ms. Frankel, “We started our Veterans program in 2006 and are pleased to say that 40% of who we put on the water are veterans and their family members. We do all of this by partnering with private and commercial boat owners that donate their time and use of their vessels to share freedom and joy on and off the waters, and this donation will allow us to provide more of these impactful boat outings.”

According to Freedom Waters website, as of December 31, 2023, they have provided over 4,500 on-the-water experiences with just three full-time and two part-time employees and the help of over 400 volunteers. That’s close to 1,000 more than last year.

To learn more about Freedom Waters Foundation, please visit their website at: freedomwatersfoundation.org.

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