Sea Base High Adventure Returns to Shore
4/11/2008

The two Sea Base Bahamas Crews have returned home safely after a week of sailing the sea of Abaco, Bahams. There are links on the Front Page to galleries and trek maps. I will update this news post as I receive more information from the other crew.

Clothing Drive Successful!
12/28/2007

The clothing drive that we conducted to benefit the orphanage in South Korea went incredibly well. The serviceman that we communicated with on this project sent us an email that expresses the success of our efforts. The hours have been reported to Good Turn for America.

Thank you so much!!

Merry Christmas,

I did receive all of the clothes and toys. It was great more than words can describe. First let me give you some details of the orphanage. Thank you all who dontated as individuals and especially the scouts of Troop 797!

The orphanages here are very strict on privacy of the children here in Korea. I have to apologize that pictures were not allowed to be taken (I am so sorry I had no idea) but it is so that the children can not be used in anyway through some form of media, or exploitation (It has to do with Korean Law also, because they are minors without parental consent) please bare with me as I do my best to compensate for no pictures, and I appreciate your understanding, and I am sorry I am unable to provide them.

All the children are either parentless or the orphanage is working with truly impoverished people (there is no welfare system here) to keep their children while the parents get back on their feet (being able to provide the basic necessities in life). The Children stay in the orphanage for a period of time 6 months to a year, and then are moved to sister orphanages, when the children are rotated through. There is always a shortage of clothes, for the children to take with them when they rotate to the next orphanage. The generous donations that you gave from your hearts will allow some of these children to actually have a carry bag of clothes that will actually be theirs to keep, whereas many times the children leave with only the clothes on their back. The toys were distributed to the children that were there and any of the toys left over (because there were so many) were distributed to the sister orphanages which accounts for 2 more orphanages, which they explained to me was about 40 children. We also donated some of the stuffed animals to the 12 month - 36 month orphanage next door.

I took 3 of my coworkers who are Korean to the orphanage with me (they are in their early 20's) and it was good to help translate. The orphanage managers were so happy they cried most of the time that we were bringing in the boxes. The children, what can I say, children are children everywhere I have ever been in the world. They were just as sweet and wonderful and delighted to have visitors more less toys and new clothes. The weather as of late has just turned really cold and the warm clothes were specially appreciated. It was really funny to see the children being that they are all Korean, know who 'Sponge Bob Square Pants' was, so anything that was Sponge bob like had to become part of the community toy chest, so there would be no arguments and everyone could share. At nap time the child that was the best that day, was allowed to sleep with the Sponge Bob pillow that was donated. We stayed with the children about 3 hours before it was back to their schedule of events. They were so happy, and honestly, after spending the three hours with them.. I think they would be happy just to have visitors. They are so precious and so grateful even for the simple things in life. None have computers, X-box, or the like. Most have their own writing utensils, and small trinkets that amount to a small back pack worth of personal things. Now they all have a toy of their own, and also we told them about the strangers that extended their hands out to them, and explained we (myself and Chun, Song, Kim - my coworkers) were just delivering the items that were gathered back in America. One young girl grabbed a map of the world and brought it over to us. She wanted to see on the map where all of you lived. We explained how you were all from the United States, and showed them (of course most knew where that was) then we showed them where Georgia was. As a general location we got another map of the United States, and showed them where Atlanta was. It was fun watching them get some paper and write down Atlanta in Hangeul (Korean written language). As one did it the entire rest followed suite. Another incident that happened was when a younger boy asked an older girl (in the Korean language) why did these people give to us and after asking Chun (my coworker) what did the older girl respond, and he said 'it is because they are good people.' I could not have said it better myself. I am not sure of the effects that this will have as an ever lasting impression on these children's lives, but I know it will have a permanent positive one. When we their visitation time was over, they ran upstairs and began to get ready for dinner. Me and my coworkers soon left after speaking with the staff about setting up regular times for Soldiers to go and visit, especially Korean Soldiers that work just fifteen minutes away.

In Summary
Please accept my humble thanks for helping others who really needed it.
Thank you so much for showing people here the true spirit of Christmas and also in helping to establish regular visitations with Korean Soldiers here and the orphanage (with Korean Soldiers stationed here). This first small step will lead to many others that will also have a great lasting impact on the children’s life and development. Here in Korea, Confucius (who is famously know in fortune cookie quotes in the USA) has had a lasting impact on shaping the Korean culture, so it is only fitting to add his quote that sums up your generosity and where it will lead, 'A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.'

This has been such a wonderful experience for me and truly a very special Christmas present. This is only the first of many steps that people will take here to not forget that there are always people that need a little help to get back on their feet, and most importantly there are many more willing to help with those 'First Steps' that do not forget their own struggles, and have not forgotten those who do currently struggle in their own current successes. Thank you for your act of 'Selflessness, Charity, Good Will, and that truly American Spirit that will always set us aside as a nation of 'Good People.'

God Bless, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year,

Martin