Summer Greetings,

Whitby's own Mike Shoreman established Canada's Great Lakes Crossing to complete the first paddleboard crossing of all five Great Lakes by a person with disabilities.

Shoreman is a motivational speaker, mental health advocate, author, disabled athlete promoting ableism, and a Canadian Disability Hall of Fame athletic nominee. There has been extensive coverage of his crossings across Canada and the U.S. by the news media, and it is prominently displayed on the Durham Tourism website and on signage throughout the region.

After successfully crossing four Great Lakes this summer, Mike plans to cross Lake Ontario on August 19 and 20th landing in Toronto around approximately 1pm.

YOU ARE INVITED to be part of this historic moment as Mike paddleboards into The Toronto Harbour accompanied by the Toronto Police Marine Unit and lots of other paddleboarders. Join Mike in celebrating alongside City of Toronto politicians, other dignitaries and advocates for youth mental health and disabled people.

WHEN: August 20, 2022 at approximately 1 pm

WHERE: HTO Park, Toronto Harbour, 339 Queens Quay

GOAL: To raise $100,000 by September 30, 2022 in support of jack.org/5greatlakes, a registered charitable organization that implements mental health programs in Canadian high schools, colleges and universities across Canada.

SPECIAL REQUEST (Time Sensitive): A donation in recognition of Mike Shoreman’s extraordinary accomplishment and his dream of raising $100,000 to support youth in crisis would be greatly appreciated.

Watch 4 minute newscast here, featuring Mike’s most recent crossing of Lake Michigan, to better appreciate the significance of this project and Mike’s accomplishments.

BE A CORPORATE SPONSOR – Multiple Levels starting at $500

In recognition of your donation at a Sponsor Level, your corporate name & logo will be displayed online at the 5 Great Lakes Crossing website. Visit Sponsor Jack.org to see benefits associated with each level of support.

TIME SENSITIVE: Submit your corporate name & logo by 5pm on Friday, August 12th and your organization will be featured on the Sponsorship Banner/posters that will be prominently displayed at four upcoming public events. Please send in JPEG, PNG, or PDF format to: managingthecrossings@gmail.com

ALL DONORS QUALIFY: One lucky winner will win flights for two from anywhere in Canada for a 3-night stay at the Fairmont Lake Louise and a 3-day Ski Vacation at SKI BIG 3 in Lake Louise, Alberta.

DONATE HERE: jack.org/5greatlakes

OPTIONAL DONATIONS IN KIND ACCEPTED TO SUPPORT THE EVENTS: Refreshments, prizes, volunteer time -- Contact Liana Neumann or Trisha Bower (emails below)

You can always make a difference in other people's lives. Kindness matters.