January 27, 2005, Punta Gorda, Florida. Despite the setbacks of Hurricane Charley in Punta Gorda, Boaters for Books packed, labeled and shipped more than 220 cases of new and used children’s books to the Caribbean days after the New Year.

With the help of a small band of volunteers, and a donated truck from Remax Realty, the mostly fiction collection of books for grades K-12 was enthusiastically received at schools in four countries. Here are 2004’s recipients; six primary and two secondary schools and Lion’s Club youth centers on Dominica and the National Library and selected primary schools on Anguilla. The small library and bookmobile on volcano ravaged Montserrat, the Bequia high school library, Bishop’s College secondary school on St. Vincent, the Stephanie Browne primary school on Union Island, and one tiny primary school on Mayreau.

Boaters for Books faces a major challenge in 2005. Grenada lost nearly all its books in Hurricane Ivan. In particular, most of the schools on the south shore have been stripped of their reading texts, teaching and school supplies and fiction. The schools were looted after the winds subsided. The situation is dire and the teachers are begging for books and materials. We are taking steps now to be absolutely sure that when our shipment reaches Grenada it is stored safely and distributed properly. We have volunteers in Grenada who assessing the situation with Lillian Sylvester, Director of Library Services.

For Grenada this year we are coordinating efforts with the non-profit Grenada Relief Team (www.grenadareliefteam.com). President Becky Hypolite has identified three schools on the south shore that are without any school materials. We expect more schools will report their needs. Teachers have asked for:

• Reading text books K-6 with teaching materials
• Fiction and non-fiction (bios, Eyewitness series, science, health) K-6
• School supplies (paper, theme books, pencils, pens, etc.)
• Posters for the walls (ABC’s, 1-2-3’s and so forth)

The non-profit organization “Food for the Poor” has offered to transport books and other donations from the Grenada Relief effort. Containers will leave Deerfield Beach, Florida and four other locations in April. Becky Hypolite and her team will be in Grenada to receive and distribute books and other donations duty free.

Kathy Oberle & Edie Smith Receive Humanitarian Award from SSCA

November 20, 2004, Punta Gorda, Florida. The Seven Seas Cruising Association, at its annual meeting in Melbourne, Florida, recognized the contributions of Kathy Oberle and Edie Smith of Boaters for Books for their dedication to raising the level of literacy in the Bahamas and Caribbean. Both women were described as admirable examples of the association’s “clean wake” policy, changing the lives of those with whom they have come in contact while cruising.

“Boaters for Books” has sent more than 50,000 books into Caribbean schools and libraries since it began its project in 2000. Explained President Kathy Oberle, “what began as an individual labor of love has blossomed into a network of volunteers, each contributing their own individual ideas and efforts to this wonderful mission.”

Boaters for Books is a strictly volunteer organization. Contributions are fully tax-deductible. 100% of funds collected go to the program. No one receives a salary.

The Seven Seas Cruising Association is comprised of more than 10,000 members who are cruising, or who have cruised worldwide.