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ESCANABA– Jim Hansen has been boating almost all of his life and for the past 30 years Jim and his wife, Alice, have been using his passion of sailing to help make a difference with Sailboat Adventure.
Jim Hansen says, “Donate a lot of trips to different organizations that they could raffle off or auction off and have dollars coming to them.”
For the past three years the Hansen family has been offering tours exclusively benefiting Lakestate Industries.
Hansen says, “We have a daughter who works at Lakestate Industries and we’re very involved, I’m on their board of directors. We decided we’re going to do this exclusively for Lakestate Industries.”
For $200, Capt. Jim can take up to six people on a three hour tour through Little Bay De Noc. During the sail, passengers can enjoy wine and cheese and also learn about the dynamics of sailing.
Cheryl Ohman, Lakestate Industries Executive Director says, “Lakestate Industries is a vocational training organization with the ultimate goal of community employment. But we provide real work for real pay in our facility as well as crews we have go out into the community.”
With Lakestate Industries serving over 200 people, they say they really appreciate the generosity of the Hansen family doing this for the past three years.”
Ohman says, “Any money that comes into Lakestate for donations is always put into good use. We’re always working on improving our facilities as well as helping people with barriers that sometimes fall through the cracks, they don’t have a barrier source so sometimes we use this money to help more people gain work skills.”
The people who benefit from Lakestate Industries say they enjoy the work that they do.
Billy Spirito, Lakestate Industries says, “Working hard at my job.”
Hansen asked Spirito, “You feel good about the work that you so there?”
Spirito replied, “Yes.”
To get onboard with helping the cause Hansen can be reached at (906) 786-5916 or (906)630 3133.
