Teekay Vancouver Boats for Hope - Teekay

June 17, 2015

Creating Special Memories for Deserving Families

The weather couldn’t have been more agreeable for the Boat for Hope event on Saturday, June 13th, 2015. This high-seas adventure brought together staff from the Vancouver office, local skippers, sponsors and other volunteers for a fun day on the water. Boat for Hope is put on each year by Variety; a children’s charity which aims to support and celebrate special needs children and their families. This year’s turnout was great with over 425 families in attendance. They were greeted by flamboyantly dressed crew members and eagerly boarded onto one of the 26 decorated boats. Their destination? Treasure Island! On their journey to the island, children were encouraged to search for treasures, dance, and have a good time. From time to time, they were even surprised by water attacks from other ships navigating the water! The residents of False creek and those visiting the Granville Island Market were also treated to an amazing sight of boats filling the harbor. Children and their families were then invited back on shore for a carnival-themed afternoon. The Boat for Hope event volunteers planned an action-packed afternoon for the families. Children participated in a wood carving workshops, enjoyed some live music, blew some bubbles and even had their faces painted. The cherry on top? Or should we say, the Popsicle on top? Frozen treats, cotton candy, and a BBQ. Here’s a great video from this weekend:

Vancouver office staff at the Boat for Hope event	A decorated boat scouting the waters
Vancouver firefighter crews helping children onto the boats	Samantha and her new friend Peter

The staff from the Vancouver Office who attended the Boat for Hope weekend had this to say: Samathan Heng- “”This year I met a new friend and his name is Peter. There wasn’t a moment when Peter wasn’t chuckling and giggling during the time when he and his mom were waiting in between the two docks where I was stationed. He was intrigued by the moving dock plate and it excited him to watch the docks swinging up and down from the incoming tide. The sound of his laughter was infectious! When Peter returned from the sea, I caught a big grin on his face. His mother told me this is Peter’s first time at Boat for Hope and he really enjoyed the boat ride. He gave many of us on the big dock a high five. When he’s leaving he also gave me a fist bump and a hug – what a sweetheart!” Gwenda Ellwood – “That was a beautiful experience. I was an old-time merchant mariner stationed at the bouncy SS Buccaneer. Her brave little sailors had a lot of fun. I particularly remember a boy who patiently stood in line for about 10 minutes. He was a little shy. As we were both waiting in line, I felt his little hand slide into mine. There we stood hand-in-hand, not speaking a word, waiting for his turn, and I knew at that moment, I was receiving way more than I was giving. Thanks Teekay for another great opportunity!” Interested in seeing more photos from the Boat for Hope event? Click here.