Diversey Yacht Club

Community Service

This page last updated:October 31, 2007

7 August 2004 - Annual Children's Party

Diversey Yacht Club hosted their annual outing for children with disabilities on Saturday, Aug. 7. 2004.  Due to Insurance Liability issues, we were unable to provide boat rides for these children; instead we implemented  Plan “B”, combining this outing with our own children’s party.

The event was held with the cooperation of Alderman Gene Schulter, 47th. Ward.  Fifty children and young adult’s including. chaperones from the  Welles Park Therapeutic Program were welcomed at the Diversey Yacht Club.

The children were treated to many surprises. They participated in all the activities, enjoyed the petting zoo, the pony rides, the balloon artist and  the clown with his talents in face painting; it delighted all of our young guests.

 Many thanks to Nancy Moreno and Joan Abdul for helping to make this outing a success and for making the  arrangements for the donation of 50 teddy bears, which were very much enjoyed by all the children.

 It was a day to remember. There were many happy faces. The weather was beautiful, our young guest enjoyed the experience and so did we.  Diversey Yacht Club takes great pleasure and pride in hosting this event on an annual base.

9 August 2003 - Annual Children's Cruise

The Diversey Yacht Club held their annual Lake Michigan Cruise and luncheon for the handicapped and disabled children and adults on Saturday, August 9. 2003.  Fifty children and adults, including their chaperones, members of the Welles Park Therapeutic Special Olympic Group, arrived at Diversey Yacht Club for a day on the lake. Due to windy conditions on the lake we went to plan “B”. To the enjoyment of all participants, members of the Diversey Yacht Club including our harbormaster provided boatrides on smaller boats and inflatables throughout the harbor.

 The event was held in cooperation with Alderman Gene Schulter, 47 th. Ward.  Alderman Schulter took time out of his busy schedule, greeted all our guests and expressed his appreciation to the members of the Diversey Yacht Club for sponsoring this annual event.

 Alderwoman Vi Daley, 43 rd. Ward regretted for not arriving on time to greet the children. She also expressed her appreciation to the members of the Diversey Yacht Club for hosting programs for the handicapped and offered her help and support.

 Fourteen members volunteered their boats for this special event and the Diversey Yacht Club would like to take this opportunity to thank all the captains and their crew.

Harbor Cleanup - 3 May, 2003          

Every year the Diversey Yacht Club sets aside one day for cleaning our harbor.  We send divers down to locate debris and our volunteers on shore pull it in and haul it away.  It's our way of saying "thank you" to the beautiful harbor that has become our home away from home.  We need LOTS OF VOLUNTEERS and equipment.  Grabbling hooks and pick-up trucks are in high demand, we hope to have a crane for the big stuff.  Despite the hard work we usually manage to have a good deal of fun.  Meet at the clubhouse around  8:00 a.m. and be sure to wear your old clothes (it gets pretty nasty) and bring a pair of work gloves.  For additional information, contact Vice Commodore Frank Gagliano  e-mail Frank.

U.S.C.G.A.  Boating Skills and Seamanship Course

A traditional yearly event where the Diversey Yacht Club donates the use of it's clubhouse and facilities to the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary for an eleven week course on Boating Skills and Seamanship.  This very worthwhile course is free and covers subjects such as navigation, rules of the road, boat handling, radio usage, GPS, and radar.  Upon completion students are issued a certificate and ID card.

Toys for Tots - 1 December, 2002   

Give a little something, to a  little someone who could use it.

This year the Diversey Yacht Club was an official sponsor in the Toys for Tots drive organized by the United States Marine Corp Reserves.  The Diversey Yacht Club has undertaken a very worthwhile project that we encourage all of our members to participate in.  Diversey Yacht Club will have a float in the parade.  Your first chance to drop off a toy for an under privileged child will be at our November steak fry on Tuesday 12 November at 6:00 p.m.  Toys may also be left at the club house throughout the month of November or brought to the Parade Party on Sunday 1 December.  Toys must be in their original packaging, unopened and unwrapped.  You can visit the Toys for Tots Home Page at http://www.toysfortots.org/

Diversey Harbor Cleanup - September 7, 2002                   

Again this year the Diversey Yacht Club conducted it's annual Harbor Cleanup.  Early Saturday morning the volunteers began showing up.  Our club's scuba divers brought their gear, one member donated the use of a crane, and dozens of volunteers arrived wearing their old clothes to help out with the dirty work.  Thousands of pounds of "junk" was pulled from the harbor, everything from old television sets to huge steel pipes.  The work was hard and the day was hot but when the job was over, everyone felt a great sense of accomplishment.  This is our way of saying "Thank You" to the harbor that provides us with so much pleasure.

Handicapped Children's Cruise - August 10, 2002                 

Diversey Yacht Club and its  members joined together in the SPIRIT of  BOATING to share their enjoyment of boating on Lake Michigan with children from Wells Park Therapeutic Program. Many of the children have Downs Syndrome and are confined to wheel chairs. Their first cruise was a sight to share with the community!

Diversey Yacht Club along with the United States Coast Guard and the Chicago Marine Police conducted a Fleet Cruise beginning at Diversey Harbor to Navy Pier, down around Monroe Harbor to cruise past Buckingham Fountain and the Aquarium. Then returned home to Diversey Harbor for lunch.

All of the boaters volunteered their time and boats along with food and beverages. We consider it a big reward just to see the children enjoy their first boat ride and for most it is an experience they haven’t been able to participate in before.

Camp Kids Program - July 11 & August 6, 2002

Diversey Yacht Club is proud to be participating in the Chicago Park District's Camp Kids Program 2002.  On certain prescheduled dates, the Yacht Clubs throughout Chicago are asked to volunteer their boats for a few hours and provide lunch for underprivileged children within Chicago.  The focus point for this event is at Corinthian Yacht Club in Montrose harbor and will be from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.  Our prescheduled dates will be on Thursday, July 11 and Tuesday, August 6.   On those dates we will be working with Corinthian and Belmont Yacht Clubs.

I urge all those able to participate on EITHER of those days to respond by clicking here.  If you have any questions, please feel free to call me at 773-549-2476.  Thanks in advance, Ronald March, Commodore.

Earth Day - April 2002

Diversey Yacht Club participated in Earth Day 2002 by featuring our Harbor Clean Up - 2001.  Diversey Yacht Club and it's members showed photos of the various garbage and debris pulled from the harbor each spring. As environmentalist and boaters we emphasized how we are aware of gas and oil spills and what we do for clean up.

Diversey Yacht Club and the United States Coast Guard shared some ideas on boater safety and how it impacted Lake Michigan.  It was a typical cold Chicago spring day but fun and environmental awareness was still accomplished.