A local fundraising effort has generated grants designed to allow schools in and around Tacoma to host assemblies presented by a quartet of men planning to row across the Atlantic Ocean.
The crew includes two men – Jordan Hanssen and Greg Spooner – who were part of a Guiness Book of World Records ocean rowing team in 2006, as well as a 2008 Olympic gold medalist (Adam Kreek) and a Boeing flight test engineer (Richard Tarbill).
The crews also are planning to row around Vancouver Island in April. During both expeditions, the rowers will collect scientific data for various organizations including the National Wildlife Federation, Canada Wildlife Federation and the U.S. Geological Survey.
The team also is raising money for Right to Play, an international organization that uses sports to help children in disadvantaged areas.
OAR Northwest offers two different assembly programs, including one that allows schools to communicate with the rowers during the expeditions. Money for the Tacoma-area grants was raised at a Foss Waterway Seaport party in December.
For more information, go to oarnorthwest.com/ education.
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