Gig Harbor Junior Sailing (GHJS) is thrilled to announce a generous $1 million dollar gift from the Stearns Family Foundation. This transformative gift supports GHJS’s long-term goal of securing a permanent waterfront location, assuring the program thrives for many generations to come.

After more than a decade as GHJS’s leading supporter, the Stearns Family Foundation made a powerful impact at this year’s annual GHJS fundraising auction by contributing:

• $1 million dollars toward the construction of a new youth sailing center.

• Permanent dock access at West Shore Marina.

• Permanent use of uplands property at West Shore Marina.

The announcement was followed by a rousing standing ovation—and there was hardly a dry eye in the room! GHJS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to providing equitable access to sailing programs that foster personal growth and youth development. For more than 16 years, GHJS has operated learn-to-sail camps and racing instruction to over 3,992 youth in the greater Gig Harbor area. For the past three years, GHJS has also provided sailing lessons to the Boys and Girls Club of South Puget Sound. Sail camp students often progress to competitive sailing through Narrows Race Team (NRT), comprised of nearly 50 racers annually from seven area high schools.

Since its founding in 2014, NRT sailors have earned medals at regional regattas and qualified for national competitions in doublehanded, singlehanded and keelboat racing. GHJS believes that every young person should have the opportunity to learn to sail regardless of their financial circumstances. Thanks to generous community support and annual fundraising efforts, GHJS has awarded $143,400 in sail camp scholarships since its founding.

To date, GHJS has relied on short-term leases and donated marina space on the Gig Harbor waterfront (at both West Shore on Gig Harbor Bay and Tacoma Yacht Club’s Wollochet Bay) to support sail camp and NRT activities. Recognizing the need for long-term stability, the volunteer GHJS board recently launched the “Charting our Course” capital campaign to secure a permanent waterfront facility which will sustain and strengthen the program for many years to come. The Stearns Family Foundation has been a generous and long-term supporter of GHJS, providing both the temporary use of dock space at the West Shore Marina and consistent annual giving focused on both program and scholarship needs.

Scholarships are very near and dear to Stan Stearns’s heart, who shares his story each year at the GHJS auction: growing up in Miami, FL, Stan had a strong passion to sail but lacked the financial means to participate in the sport. Through sheer grit and determination, he found a way to join and thrive on the local race team. Stan said of their donation: “Judy and I are fortunate to be able to give to our community. We give to Gig Harbor Junior Sailing because, well, it’s like Micky Mouse Club, ‘Because we like you!’ We support youth and their pursuits of healthy recreation. Also, we have the satisfaction of seeing kids on the water rather than on their screens—it’s wonderful!”

This announcement puts the “Charting Our Course” capital campaign on solid footing to move into the campaign planning phase. Joan Storkman, who has dedicated years as the organization’s volunteer Program Director, shared her excitement: “We are thrilled for this opportunity to make our home at West Shore Marina permanent and to add a dedicated youth sailing facility to support our program’s operational needs. The Stearns Family donation provides a tremendous kick start for our capital campaign. It also allows us to continue with annual fundraising for equipment, scholarships, and safety training so youth across Puget Sound area may not only learn to sail but also gain valuable employment and leadership opportunities as instructors and forge a path for a lifetime of enjoyment on the water. Stan and Judy Stearns’ extremely generous and thoughtful gift will truly make a difference in the lives of kids.”

Storkman is grateful for the continued support from this amazing community. “The GHJS Board has worked hard for more than 16 years to ensure we provide a safe, fun and positive program that fosters personal growth and youth development on the waters of Gig Harbor. For all those who have participated, when you hear the joy and laughter of youth in those little boats, please know you are part of our wonderful team of supporters…for the kids.”

GHJS looks forward to the partnership with the Stearns Family Foundation, and other donors, as they work toward a shared goal of providing a permanent home to deliver sailing opportunities and promote healthy, active lifestyles in our maritime community.

For more information, visit gigharborjuniorsailing.org