SOFTIN partners with CALM to give abused families a happy adventure

Last evening, SOFTIN along with our collaborative partner Child Abuse Listening & Mediation (CALM) and Capt. Jason Diamond the owner of the vessel, Stardust, provided a much-needed seagoing adventure for nearly forty battered/abused children and moms. These families live daily with abusive situations that seem like nightmares, so it gave us a powerful sense of accomplishment to give them an opportunity to learn, interact with nature and just have some good clean fun.

The kids’ faced lit up when they came aboard and spread out around the beautiful vessel. All the sights and sounds were new and exciting and the kids went into “learn and have fun” mode in a supervised environment, allowing the moms to relax and enjoy the outing themselves. SOFTIN staff and Board of Director members, CALM therapists and the crew of the Stardust went into teach mode, pointing out interesting things about the waterfront, the sea and the critters of the sea and sea shore.

The happy group saw seagulls, night herons, brown pelicans, cormorants, egrets, harbor seals and sea lions. While we were out the kids caught and released a good number of fish, allowing us to teach first-hand lessons about resource management, water quality management and marine debris prevention.

We cruised back into the harbor as the sun set. As the smiling kids and appreciative moms disembarked, thanking us profusely, we volunteers were left with a feeling that we really helped some kids gain experiences their lives were lacking and we gave the moms a shared experience they can talk with their kids about to help them through rough times ahead as they try to improve their lives. We helped and it felt great!

Capt. David Bacon
Executive Director,
SOFTIN
dbacon@softininc.org
www.softininc.org

PS: We at SOFTIN are always looking for more collaborative partners to team up with to serve special-needs people.

SOFTIN website gets updates

SOFTIN's website www.softininc.org has a new look and features. Check out the page about our upcoming car show fundraiser at the WWII Air Museum in Camarillo, Ca., and also check out the page on Bentwing, our hero brown pelican. Let us know what you think and how you can help drive our mission.

Capt. David Bacon
Executive Director,
SOFTIN
dbacon@softininc.org
www.softininc.org

PS: Will you or your company be a sponsor of our car show in July? Contact Capt. Tiffany at tvague@softininc.org

A heartwarming SOFTIN memory to share

It is such a special treat to meet past SOFTIN passengers and listen to their memories. We had such a moment this past weekend while hosting a family yard sale at my home. A grandmotherly type with three kids in tow came walked up the driveway. I had a table set up with fishing gear for sale. The three kids (ages 7 to 13) stopped at the table to admire the fishing lures while the grandma walked on to look at clothes and household items. One kid said, “I’ve been on a boat. Do you know the ‘What-up’ birds?”

That question about floored me, since the What-up birds are a pair of seagulls who adopted the SOFTIN boat, WaveWalker and visit us every time we come back to harbor. If these kids met our pals the What-up birds, it had to have happened aboard our boat. So I replied, “Yes, the What-up birds are my friends. How do you know those birds?

The girl looked closely at me and I could see the recognition spark in her eyes. She said, “Hey, weren’t you on that boat?”

“Yes,” I laughed. “I’m Captain David of SOFTIN, and Captain Tiffany (I pointed across the driveway at her) was there, too.”

All three kids looked at her, and the same girl squealed, “I know Captain Tiffany!”

Tiffany rushed over and was immediately swarmed with hugs. The youngsters couldn’t talk and gesticulate fast enough to share their flood of happy memories from their SOFTIN trip with us. At times they talked over each other and at times they talked in unison. Through the whole story telling session they were wide-eyed and excited to relive and share their positive experiences and memories. They had been referred to us by our collaborating partner, Child Abuse Listening and Mediation (CALM). We have done many good works together.

These are moments to live for…..

Capt. David Bacon
Executive Director,
SOFTIN
dbacon@softininc.org
www.softininc.org

How do we keep this year in perspective?

What a wild year for SOFTIN, and just about everyone else! Nonprofits are having a tough time and donations are generally declining. SOFTIN was able to buck that trend. Our revenues increased. The reason? Twofold, really. One is that people who understand the power of the sea… in terms of healing and in terms of being a place where change can happen… have come to SOFTIN’s aid with donations to fuel our program. The second reason is that we have worked very hard at attracting funding.

One of our fundraising enterprises was to begin what will be an annual car show. That was a boatload of work, but a truckload of fun. We are anxious for next year’s show (Sunday, July 25th, save the date.) which will be at the WWII Air Museum in the Camarillo Air Field). We’ll have hot rods, classics, low riders, trucks, motorcycles and bicycles, along with vendors and stuff for everyone (kids, too) to do. Thanks to the folks are the WWII Air Museum, there will be vintage war birds mixed in. Can you imagine a WWII fighter plane next to a 1940s classic car? Awesome!

SOFTIN’s Board of Directors put in a tremendous amount of volunteer work to provide direction, oversight and just good help. They help drive this boat and thanks to them we are on the right course.

For the staff, the most memorable part of the year has been providing services and giving hope to hundreds. We have memories of trips which bring a tear to our eyes every time we think about or talk about those profound heartwarming experiences. We helped people overcome trauma, work through disabilities and impairments. We helped families stay together and learn to have fun family adventures to break cycles of abuse. We are making a mark on this world and it is a wonderful mark. Thank you for sharing the story and I hope you will find ways to help.

Capt. David Bacon
Executive Director,
SOFTIN
dbacon@softininc.org
www.softininc.org

PS: Our website (www.softininc.org) has buttons for Paypal and credit cards, to make donating easy.

Donations Keep SOFTIN working

Sharing good news makes my fingers quicker on the keyboard and right now I have happy fingertips. Two successive donations have helped SOFTIN to continue to provide services to our special-needs community.

$500: I put on a talk about SOFTIN at a meeting of a fishing club. These are boat people who understand the value of lessons learned at sea. After the meeting, a feller (who wishes to remain anonymous) came up to me and asked for my address so that he could send a check because he felt deeply touched by what we do for the disabled, impaired, victims of abuse, frail elderly and youths-at-risk. Two days later his check for $500 arrived in the mail. He lived up to his word and thanks to him, more services can be provided.

$1,603: In mid-November SOFTIN was invited to set up an information display for the corporate Charity Fair at FLIR Corporation, a high-tech company. I wrote a blog entry here at the time. We just received a letter from FLIR describing donations from employees, matching amounts from the company and an award from their community philanthropy fund. Along with the letter were checks totaling $1,603. Wow! There are plenty of special-needs people who are going to benefit greatly from this donation.

SOFTIN is SO thankful for these two generous donations, especially here at year-end. We get a little misty-eyed about such things. We are, after all, SOFTIN softies and this is the most meaningful work we have ever done.

Able to move forward,

Capt. David Bacon
Executive Director,
SOFTIN
dbacon@softininc.org
www.softininc.org

PS: That address for donations is:
SOFTIN
691 Camino Campana
Santa Barbara, Ca 93111

Thankful for our opportunity to serve

Even in a year of worldwide economic woes SOFTIN has much to be thankful for on this day of Thanksgiving. Our funding level has suffered, yet our level of service grew substantially to our highest level yet. Our collaborations with other nonprofit organizations grow stronger. Our volunteers… from Vivy Vague selling family-made candles and baskets, to Dave Bacon (my son) working on illustrations for the Bentwing Books, to the many hours of loving labor our Board of Directors puts in… remain steadfast and dedicated to our mission of providing at-sea educational adventures to special-needs people.

It is a good Thanksgiving!

Capt. David Bacon
Executive Director,
SOFTIN
dbacon@softininc.org
www.softininc.org

PS: We are planning for next year and I’m glad to have you with us.

Corporate Charity Fair a big hit

SOFTIN was invited to an unusual and wonderful event…. A corporate Charity Fair. FLIR Corporation in Goleta, California does this each year. For many years, the company funneled employee contributions and corporate contributions to one of the big national charity organizations. But at the request of a number of their employees who wanted to see their contributions go to helping a variety of nonprofit charitable organizations, FLIR management came up with a bright plan… invite numerous charities (ranging from very small to very large) to set up display tables at a 2-hour Charity Fair in the large and tastefully decorated company break room.

FLIR employees came in and talked with all of us, gaining helpful insight on all the wonderful charitable work being done locally, regionally and nationally. The employees even had a fun method of engaging in a raffle, based upon cards on which they gathered signatures from the nonprofit representatives they spoke with. Subsequently, FLIR awards donations to the various attending organizations.

The event was a positive and engaging experience for all. I doff my hat in admiration and appreciation to FLIR Corporation and especially to the staff members who worked very hard to create and manage the Charity Fair.

Working at SOFTIN is a joy,

Capt. David Bacon
Executive Director,
SOFTIN
dbacon@softininc.org
www.softininc.org

Girding up for insurance renewal

We look forward to insurance renewals with some trepidation. Will the costs go up? Will the coverage go down? We are diligently working on coming up with tax-deductible donations to cover our insurance bill, anticipated to be near $1,700.

SOFTIN Directors firmly believe in the importance of insurance. We carry liability insurance to protect people and assets. We also carry a Directors and Officers policy to protect our people and or organization. Every nonprofit organization should put good insurance coverage high on the list of financial priorities. It is always best to do things right.

Keeping SOFTIN on the level,

Capt. David Bacon
Executive Director,
SOFTIN
dbacon@softininc.org
www.softininc.org

A teacher’s reward

As we teach our special-needs passengers about the wonders of the sea, about stewardship of our environment and how to perform tasks aboard a vessel, SOFTIN teachers find our rewards in many of the same feelings as shore side classroom teachers. It is the amazing feeling of taking a pupil from ignorance to understanding on any given topic. The profound feeling of accomplishment felt by the student is perfectly mirrored in the teacher.

It is a partnership… an agreement… a bond. On the student’s part, there is an acceptance of a teacher as one to learn from and a commitment to try to learn. On the teacher’s part, there is an acceptance of a void of knowledge to fill, skills to teach and a relationship to foster. When a pupil feels the joy of learning and a sense of accomplishment, the relationship bonds lights up with mutual accomplishment. The teacher is just as joyful as the student. At times, maybe more so.

Those are feelings worth living for and seem to be most powerful between special-needs kids and their teachers. Consequently, SOFTIN teachers are happy teachers.

Always for SOFTIN,

Capt. David Bacon
Executive Director,
SOFTIN
dbacon@softininc.org
www.softininc.org

PS: SOFTIN teachers are always looking for more special-needs pupils. Contact Capt. Tiffany (805 574-9388) to join in on an educational adventure.

A surprising story about state government relations

I just had to share this story because it surprised and delighted me.

I try to find and follow all regulations and requirements. It takes some doing, considering the myriad requirements of city, county, state and federal government. After much research and sifting through conflicting information, I determined that we should have a sellers permit from the Ca Board of Equalization (BOE) because a very small amount of the income (a whopping $57) from our car show is actually taxable. So I went through the application process and got the durned thing right before the car show. Filing is quarterly, so I’ve been waiting for October to file. Meanwhile, I received two letters from the BOE notifying me that they require a $2,000 security deposit.

So I called them up, got to the right person (which was actually easier than I expected) and explained that we have $57 to pay taxes on, meaning that our total tax liability will be about 5 bucks. Therefore a $2,000 security deposit is way out of line and makes it unreasonable for me to comply with the regulations. You can imagine my surprise when the state of California understood my logic, agreed with me and waived the security deposit. They even invited me to call them up when I’m ready to file (about next week) and they will walk me through it the first time. These folks are downright reasonable and sociable!

Just had the share the good story,

Capt. David Bacon
Executive Director,
SOFTIN
dbacon@softininc.org
www.softininc.org

Changing mentalities during a day of serving special-needs

Running consecutive trips for groups with vastly different special-needs can be a mental and emotional workout. Yesterday, for example… a grieving family came out with us. It wasn’t a case of a family member passing away. It was a case of the father having to leave to serve a jail term. The children and wife were suffering terribly and they needed a family educational adventure to have as a memory. They had a blast and built a beautiful memory together.

Minutes after they disembarked the next group came aboard… children at high risk as a result of their parents’ involvement in the drug culture. They came to us with therapists from our collaborating partner, Child Abuse Listening & Mediation (CALM). They children learned a great deal about part of the world they new little-to-nothing about.

The needs of these two specific groups were very different, yet each was a special need that SOFTIN is perfectly and uniquely positioned to fill with an at-sea educational, self esteem and skill building adventure. It gave the grieving family a time of togetherness and adventure to cherish during the forced separation. It gave the children at risk a look outside the box they usually live in, gave them a taste of adventure and a sense of what lifestyles they could strive to live and what waterfront or at-sea professions they could aspire to.

Meeting varied special-needs is challenging yet equally rewarding because we see so clearly that we are helping special needs people in profound and unique ways. We sure could use your help. Will you contact us and offer to help fund our work?

Capt. David Bacon
Executive Director, SOFTIN
www.softininc.org
http://softininc.blogspot.com
dbacon@softininc.org(805) 895-3273 (my cell phone to call and arrange a donation)

Car show community awareness event a success for SOFTIN

Hundreds of spectators had a blast admiring well over one hundred show cars decked out in stunning details and shining like a noonday sun at the Earl Warren Showgrounds in Santa Barbara. There were muscle cars with engine parts poking up above their hoods and every inch of engine compartment in use. There were classic cars which brought back many a wonderful memory for those of us old enough to remember playing in those cars. There were lowriders with amazing paint jobs and innovative modifications. There were custom-built bicycles that stopped spectators in their tracks. There was plenty to see.

There was plenty to do, as well. A live band, RedFish classic rock band, donated their time to play toe-tapping music inside the domed building the whole day and keep our spirits soaring. Two DJs (Mike “the Cholo” DJ performed as a volunteer and also handled the awards ceremony) played in different areas on the grassy areas outside the building. A fine showing of vendors gave car show owners and spectators alike plenty to shop for. A used book sale table offered attractions to avid readers. A silent auction provided a method for folks to support SOFTIN and buy wonderful goods, services and adventures. A kiddy corner – complete with fun and games – gave the little ones plenty of action and honed their game skills.

The show finished with a raffle drawing and trophy awards for the best show vehicles in dozens of classes. A truckload of trophies were awarded. We wished we had planned for one more category… not for show cars, but for the best dancers. One couple in particular, who did win a trophy for their truck, would also have left with a trophy for best dancers. They just couldn’t help but move to the music of RedFish inside and the DJs outside.

A heartwarming act of SOFTIN mission support brought tears to many an eye. Actually, two acts. The gentleman who won the 50/50 raffle (50/50 meaning that the prize was 50% of the raffle ticket sales money) put his winnings into the SOFTIN donation jug. The second act was when the same gentlemen won the other cash prize (donated along with a raffle prize) and also put that money into the donation jug. His name is withheld by request, otherwise we would shout his name from the rooftops. He’s our hero.

SOFTIN thanks our volunteers and the community (especially the car culture community) for their generous outpouring of support. Proceeds from SOFTIN events support our programs to provide at-sea education and skill-building adventures for the disabled, impaired, victims of abuse, frail elderly and youths-at-risk.

Capt. David Bacon
www.softininc.org
http://softininc.blogspot.com

Five battered families served by SOFTIN in one very special evening

Five families living under abusive conditions, and trying to break the patterns of abuse, had a chance for a healing adventure thanks to a special trip arranged by SOFTIN in collaboration with Capt. Jason Diamond, owner/operator of the vessel Stardust in Santa Barbara. A special “Thank you” to Capt. Jason and his crew, Sal and KC.

These families are in a special program, working with therapists from Child Abuse Listening & Mediation (CALM)… a collaborator of SOFTIN’s. CALM contacted SOFTIN and we put together a special evening trip for this large group.

The weather was perfect, seas were calm, critters were friendly and in wonderful abundance. A special treat was cruising slowly by a navigation buoy in use by nearly a dozen California sea lions hauled out and sunning themselves. We studied pinnipeds, shore birds and pelagic sea birds and plant life. We talked about local shipwrecks, conservation, water quality management, marine debris prevention and wildlife management as we taught the principles of ethical angling. The kids had a blast catching a releasing fish and it was readily apparent that some of them discovered a healthy outdoors hobby.

One of our volunteers noted that the children had come aboard with traces of sadness in their eyes, but left with smiling faces and eyes lit up with the joy of adventure.

Capt. David Bacon
http://www.softininc.org/
http://softininc.blogspot.com/

Car Show FUNdraiser countdown

Final days of preparations brought many pleasant surprises for SOFTIN’s car show and silent auction, this Saturday (July 25th) at Santa Barbara’s Earl Warren Showgrounds at Las Positas offramp from the 101 freeway, 10:00am to 4:00pm. We have commitments from many car clubs to bring their gorgeous show cars… hotrods, classics, lowriders, trucks and even custom bicycles. We have good turnout from the vendor community with lots of goods and services represented. Stacks of great used books will be for sale at a special table. We’ll have games and plenty for kids to do. Adults and kids alike will enjoy listening to RedFish classic rock band. We expect two DJ’s to mix music, games, fun and announcements. Take a chance on a valuable raffle. A huge rack of trophies will be awarded to the best show cars, trucks and bicycles. Judging will be done by professionals. Food and drinks are available at the concession stand in the dome.

We’re ready to roll out a great show. All we need now is a solid turnout from the community. Please plan to come and generously support SOFTIN’s programs. If you are unable to attend, please consider supporting SOFTIN by using the Donate Now button here on SOFTIN’s blogspot page.

Capt. David Bacon
www.softininc.org
http://softininc.blogspot.com

PS: More detailed information about the car show/silent auction is at: http://www.softininc.org/SOFTIN/Fundraising_Event.html

Boat work... the other full time SOFTIN job

Anything that has to do with boats comes with a hidden agenda… boat work. SOFTIN’s good deeds are no exception. For every hour spent with our special-needs passengers, there is an hour and a half worth of boat work to do.

A SOFTIN day begins at the office getting the paperwork ready and progresses to the boat well in advance of the time we plan to meet the passengers. The boat must be cleaned and made safe and presentable inside and out (even though it may have been cleaned after a trip the day before… there are birds around the harbor, don’t ya know). Life vests must be checked. Curriculum supplies must be checked and stowed in a readily-accessible location. There must be time to check the boat’s electrical systems, navigational and hazard avoidance systems and steering. We start and warm up the motors, while listening to the latest reports on the marine radio station. We begin the passenger manifest and prepare the mandatory paperwork for the passengers or their caregivers to read, fill-out and sign.

Now the real fun begins. Once the passengers arrive the crew is thoroughly enjoying ourselves meeting and getting to know the people, fitting life vests and giving a safety orientation so that everyone feels and behaves safely. Now we get to cast off and work through our curriculum, tailored to meet the special needs of this particular group of people. We are flexible enough to bring the adventure to life for the people we serve.

After the trip and the passengers leave, more boat work remains. We go to the fuel dock, fill up and return to the slip. We write logs and file paperwork. We stow safety gear and curriculum materials where they belong. We clean the boat again, just as thoroughly as before the trip. Finally we lock up the vessel and go back to the office to catch up on business matters and line up more SOFTIN excursions before going home to a much-needed meal and a well-deserved night’s sleep.

There may be a lot to it, but SOFTIN work is bliss because it is deeply touching to help special needs people so profoundly.

Capt. David Bacon
Executive Director,
SOFTIN, Inc.
www.softininc.org
www.softininc.blogspot.com

SOFTIN's Needs

SOFTIN has some immediate needs and also ongoing needs you may hopefully be able to help with.

IMMEDIATE NEEDS:
Our major fundraiser and community awareness raiser event, a car show and silent auction, is coming right up… Saturday, July 25th at Earl Warren Showgrounds at the 101 freeway and Las Positas offramp in Santa Barbara. The show runs from 10:00am to 4:00pm.

Our needs are for donated items of value for the silent auction. Can you help? Please send items (shipped to arrive before July 25th) to SOFTIN’s offices at 691 Camino Campana, Santa Barbara, Ca 93111. Your donations will help support SOFTIN’s programs for disabled, impaired, victims of abuse, frail elderly and youths-at-risk.

We want to see a great community turnout, so please exercise your own social networking capabilities to help us get the community there.


ONGOING NEEDS:
The educational adventure programs of SOFTIN require cash funding. Please help. There is a Paypal button on this blogspot page. We can also accept credit card deposits. Just call us at (805) 895-3273 to arrange your donation. Please mail checks (made out to SOFTIN, Inc.) to us at: 691 Camino Campana, Santa Barbara, Ca 93111.

Capt. David Bacon
Executive Director
http://www.softininc.org/
http://softininc.blogspot.com

PS: Expect to owe state or federal taxes? You can give money to SOFTIN to reduce your tax burden. And we'll do GOOD works with your money!

Our mission and curriculum, your mission

Our Mission Statement

With funding from the public, SOFTIN enables the disabled, builds self-esteem in the physically and mentally impaired, helps victims of abuse overcome trauma, assists elderly in living fuller lives, educates children and teaches troubled youth the values of nature, conservation and community spirit... all through unique and tailored at-sea learning/research experiences.

Curriculum specifics (short version)

Teaching enabling life skills and sense of self esteem to challenged special-needs people (including disabled, impaired, victims of abuse, frail elderly, youths-at-risk) though one-on-one, hands-on educational lessons and experiences at sea; practicing marlinspike seamanship; viewing, identification and monitoring of marine mammals and seabirds; demonstrating subsistence/recreational fishing skills focused on the principles of ethical angling; teaching ocean conservation values and water quality issues; learning about the people, infrastructure, vessel types and job/career opportunities among our waterfront communities; monitoring and educating the public and resource managers about sea life and habitat.


Your Mission Statement

Help us help them. Your tax deductible donation to SOFTIN, Inc. will enrich the lives of the disabled, impaired, victims of abuse, elderly and youths-at-risk we serve. Give them educational experiences and skills that they would otherwise never gain. Imagine the nurturing power of close interaction with the creatures of the sea – mammals, birds, fish, shellfish and plants. Imagine their joy of learning life-enriching knowledge and skills including reading the signs of weather, monitoring various marine life, fishing, working with ropes, learning to use charts/maps and understanding the lifestyle and career possibilities of the waterfront community. Finally, imagine the genuine and profound appreciation of the special people we serve and empower to live fuller lives. Our mission is made possible by your mission. Give generously and do it now because the need is now.

Capt. David Bacon
Executive Director, SOFTIN
http://www.softininc.org/
http://softininc.blogspot.com

Special preparations for special adventures with special-needs people

Preparing for a SOFTIN trip is such a special time for the crew. Sure, there is always the boat preparation work to do because we run a clean and tidy vessel, but we also go through an emotional preparedness process that begins with eager anticipation.

Eagerness stems from knowing we are preparing to help people gain profound experiences by connecting them with nature and sea critters in a new (to them) environment. You see…very few of the special needs people we serve have experience on boats. This is new, wild and a little intimidating at first. So we prepare ourselves to be calming influences and earn our passengers trust by interacting directly and openly and by showing seagoing competence. The kids are generally pretty quick to recognize us as trustworthy people and that helps tremendously as they work to feel comfortable on a moving boat.

We prepare the passengers by talking to them about the boat and the sea and telling them stories, as we fit their life preservers and take care of paperwork. We provide a brief safety orientation and then we cast off. Once free from shore… the adventure begins!
You can learn more about the adventure by visiting our website, www.softininc.org. While visiting, please check out the page about our car show/silent auction fundraising event.

What tugs at our heartstrings

Sharing something that just tugs at my heartstrings… when a severely impaired child disembarks -- after having an educational adventure so inspiring that the child forgets all about impairments for a couple of hours and becomes a happy kid interacting with the critters of the sea -- gets about halfway up the ramp to the marina gate, turns back, ambles quickly back down to the SOFTIN crew, wraps arms around us and says, “Thank you. I had fun and I want to go again.”

The SOFTIN crew has been deeply touched by many such emotional displays of honest and unrestrained feelings. After wards, we share a good cry together and thank heavens for being able to do such wonderful good work.

Capt. David Bacon
Executive Director,
SOFTINwww.softininc.org

Car show page added to SOFTIN's website

SOFTIN's website has been updated to include a special page for our car show and silent auction fundraiser, scheduled for July 25th at Earl Warren Showgrounds in Santa Barbara. The page URL is: http://www.softininc.org/SOFTIN/Fundraising_Event.html

You are encouraged to visit our website and also attend our fun fundraiser.

Capt. David Bacon
Executive Director,
SOFTIN, Inc.