Preparing to cut the 30th Anniversary cake are (L-R) Lex Birney, MDD Secretary Carol Beatty, Ald. Rob Savidge, Delegate Dana Jones, MDE Asst. Sec. Suzanne Dorsey, Mayor Gavin Buckley, and AACO Executive Steuart Pittman
Delegate Shaneka Henson shares about how important CRAB is to her constituents
Annapolis, MD - It was a beautiful sight to have all of CRAB’s friends in government and the media at the future home of the Annapolis Adaptive Boating Center to share in the celebration of the 30th Anniversary of CRAB with the Board of Directors and Staff. The gathering was limited to 25 people or the entire property would have been filled with friends and volunteers commemorating Don Backe’s founding of CRAB as a chapter of National Ocean Access Project (NOAP) in 1991. The event was held on Monday, April 12th, in honor of the day Don passed away in 2013 at age 77.
Joining CRAB for the ceremony was longtime friend and supporter Secretary Carol Beatty of the Maryland Dept. of Disabilities to present Governor Larry Hogan’s Citation. Also, from the State was MD Dept. of Environment Assistant Secretary Suzanne Dorsey. The District 30 Legislative Delegation was well represented by Delegate Shaneka Henson and Delegate Dana Jones who had wonderful things to say about CRAB and what it means to the people we serve. Due to the Legislature being in Sina Die (last day), Senator Sarah Elfreth was unable to attend. Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman, Annapolis Mayor Gavin Buckley and Alderman Rob Savidge presented citations and talked of their time over the past several years working to fund the Annapolis Adaptive Boating Center (ABC) and CRAB’s persistence to make it a reality. AACO Director of Recreation & Parks Rick Anthony was recognized with an engraved pewter platter attesting to his 4 years of support for the ABC while guiding the Program Open Space grant through two administrations. Rick was especially gracious in his remarks and recognizing how important the ABC will be to providing access to the Bay for so many people who have limited options.
CRAB President David Hankey receives the City of Annapolis Citation from Annapolis Mayor Gavin Buckley and Alderman Rob Savidge
Maryland Department of Disabilities Secretary Carol Beatty presenting the Governor's citation
CRAB President David Hankey welcomed everyone and introduced Lex Birney, CEO of The Brick Companies who presented a check for $100,000 from TBC Foundation in honor of his father Arthur Birney who passed away in January. The donation will fund the construction of the ABC pavilion, a familiar setting for his father to hang out after sailing and “gam” with friends. There will be a lot of “gamming” over the next 40-years at the ABC thanks to the TBC Foundation.
AACO Recreation and Parks Director Rick Anthony receiving a congratulatory engraved platter for his years of service and support for the Adaptive Boating Center from CRAB Executive Director Bo Bollinger
Lex Birney presenting the TBC Foundation donation of $100,000 in honor of his father Arthur Birney
Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman presents a Citation to CRAB President David Hankey
To celebrate CRAB’s birthday in style, a 30th anniversary cake was presented and all of the dignitaries were given engraved cake knives to commemorate the date. It was a very special moment with so many smiling faces cutting through the cake together in celebration of CRAB’s 30th at the future home of the Adaptive Boating Center. Please see all of the articles and videos featuring the event on CRAB’s “In the News” section on the website, www.crabsailing.org.
