Wake The World - Northern Indiana

So blessed that we get to help give these kids the best day ever 🩷

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

To everyone who helped make yesterday happen, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. The kids had the most incredible day and we couldn’t have done it without all of you! 🩷

When we first learned about Wake the World, we were excited to be able to give back in a way that aligned with one of our passions. We knew it would be a fun day for the kids who participated- I mean, who doesn’t love a day on the boat, hanging out in the water? What we didn’t realize was the deeper impact that that one day would make in the lives of those children.

It IS a fun day, but it’s also so much more. I still remember one of the kids saying “I’ve been waiting for this day all year!” As we participated in that first event, we learned that for the kids that participate:
- It’s a day of forgetting about your struggles.
- It’s about getting to just be a KID for a carefree day.
- It’s about riding in a boat… not everyone at school can say they’ve done that.
- It’s about overcoming fears.
- It’s about adults you don’t even know encouraging you, spending time teaching you something really cool, and cheering for you because you are worthy.
- It’s about cheering for and encouraging other kids.
- It’s about the water melting stress away.
- It’s about boasting confidence when you do something you never imagined you’d do.
- It’s about sparking dreams.
- It’s about having a great story to tell when you go back to school and the teacher asks everyone to talk about their summer.
- It’s about creating a positive core memory that will live with you your entire life.

All it took was attending one event and we were hooked. The smiles of the kids say it all.

Let’s put more smiles on kids’ faces!!! 🤩

David Michael thank you for capturing a part of the day last year!

Wake the World || Northern Indiana

Volunteer can mean many things. For Wake the World, it can mean giving of your time, talent, treasure, or all of them at the same time. This year we had volunteers selflessly giving of themselves to ensure that children (who would otherwise not likely have the chance) would get to spend a day on the water overcoming fears, practicing courage, and conquering new challenges. It was a positive, uplifting day that was made possible by these fantastic volunteers.

They gave of their time (most even taking vacation days from work to be there), their talent (boat operation, water sports coaching, cooking/grilling, feeding others, encouraging children), and/or treasure (use of their boat, use of their gear, boat gas, etc.).

We had one volunteer fly in from Oregon, another tow his boat 6 hrs to join us (on just a few days notice), multiple people drive in from the Indianapolis and Michigan areas, and many more from northeast Indiana. (These photos are just some of our amazing volunteers. Things were so busy, we didn’t get a full team photo this year - next year!)

From the loyal, dependable crew we knew we could count on to make this unforgettable day happen to the last minute additions who stepped up when we got the opportunity to put smiles on more kids faces, we appreciate all of you!! Our volunteers are the best and we are SO incredibly grateful for all of you!

Our hearts are so full.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU to everyone who helped make today happen. We seriously have the most amazing volunteers and sponsors!!!

Do you remember your 1st boat ride? I don’t but these kids who participate in Wake the World sure do.

I don’t remember my 1st boat ride because I was a baby - I was fortunate to be able to grow up around the water. I was blessed to have a childhood filled with memories of swimming, boating, waterskiing, and wakeboarding.

Sharing my love of the water brings me so much joy. I’m excited to give these kids a summer memory they will never forget. ❤️

Check your email! Volunteer details went out last night. 😀 If you didn’t receive yours and want to help, let us know!