What big resolutions did you make for the new year? For West Marine, making the nonprofit BlueFuture Fund a big 2017 priority is one of them! In case you don’t remember, the BlueFuture Fund is designed to support and promote youth water recreation and education initiatives, healthy marine habitats, and sustainable fisheries. This year, West Marine is going to host three big fundraisers and send the BlueFuture Kids Zone activity tent to many special events and store grand openings around the nation.

As Lindsey Johnson, West Marine’s Director of Communications, explains it, the BlueFuture Kids Zone activity tent is a valuable way to reach out to the public and offer a family-friendly way to learn more about waterlife activities, environments and issues.

“By engaging with them, we hope to spark an interest that will lead them to sailing lessons, Sea Scouts, and all the other outstanding groups that are doing such important work in their communities,” Johnson stated.

Additionally, the BlueFuture Kids Zone will introduce water-lovers everywhere to the BlueFuture grants program.

“When we distribute our BlueFuture grants, we providing critical financial support to all those wonderful nonprofit organizations that give young people access to the water,” Johnson explained. “To continue providing that support, we need members of the public to know how vital they are to our efforts. We need a healthy BlueFuture Fund so we can distribute our grants to youth-focused, community-based groups twice each year.”

The three signature fundraisers are also scheduled for 2017 and will be held during National Safe Boating Week, May 20-26; World Oceans Day June 8; and the Month of Giving, Dec. 1-31. More info is to follow and can be found at www.westmarine.com/BlueFuture.

Images credited to West Marine