Tom and Carol Patterson are passionate sailors. In fact, Tom, and his son, Peter began a voyage to sail around the world in 2001. They had landed is Lagos, Portugal when the terrorist event of 9/11/2001 convinced them they should head home. A serial entrepreneur, Tom is also passionate about helping others that are less advantaged. So, in 2014, Tom and Carol donated Satori, their 52’ Shannon Sailboat, to the NW Florida community foundation with the stipulation that the donation would be transferred to the newly formed PYC Satori Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization domiciled at the Pensacola Yacht Club.

The purpose of this generous gift was to create, through the experience of sailing, a hands-on way to teach STEM education to underprivileged kids. Satori’s tag line, Steering for a Brighter Future, captures the essence of their goal of providing inspiration, enlightenment, and education for those that may not otherwise have an opportunity to get on the water and learn by doing.

Sailing can be a life-altering experience that can reveal tangible positive impacts and these benefits vary with each group. The board and members of The Pensacola Yacht Club are experienced sailors with a passion for sharing their love of sailing and boating. PYC members volunteer their time with the mission to develop educational and training programs for the sports of sailing and yachting, for seamanship and a broad range of maritime activities.

For economically disadvantaged youth, sailing provides a non-judgmental environment to enjoy the quiet power of the wind, to feel the freedom from pressure, and to experience the water environment of their hometown. These sails have helped over 500 students take pride in their community, and to plant the seeds of possibilities from a new perspective. If they can learn to navigate, to understand the science of wind and currents, to steer a sailboat, they can take charge of their own path, steering for a brighter future.

For youth with autism and other related disabilities, sailing provides a peaceful place to flourish and grow. The Satori captains and crew have witnessed life-changing positive impacts sailing has had on this group. The most extraordinary example was a non-verbal youth that blossomed during the sail, experiencing a transformation, and was speaking upon returning to the dock.

Research shows the sense of well-being one feels while sailing. Breathing salt air, feeling the wind, hearing the sails billow and waves slapping the hull, allows each of the senses to engage. Science shows these factors balance one’s serotonin levels, naturally increasing one’s sense of emotional health. Veterans with PTSD that have participated in sailing rehabilitation programs report the experience of open space and the distant horizon puts their world in perspective, with problems, obstacles and setbacks significantly diminished.

Satori also offers scholarships through the Satori Foundation Board, which Carol chairs, to sailing camps for youth ages 6 to 17 who know how to swim. In conjunction with U.S. Sailing, the national governing body for the sport, Satori facilitates a “Safety at Sea” seminar for Pensacola community sailors.  They are also planning to develop a Satori Maritime Institute for a maritime education program and outreach facility for the area. To learn more or to donate, visit Satori Foundation.

Tom and Carol continue to sail and create. They established Jetty loT, in 2019, an accelerator entrepreneurship facility in Warrington, FL for startups that want to accelerate growth and revenue. Tom and Carol also provided support at the University of West Florida’s new Center for Leadership and enjoys mentoring entrepreneurs from startup to $5 million in revenue. As partners in Tocaro Blue, LLC, the company has developed an electronic sensor-based monitoring and collision aversion system for the astute helmsman and boat owner.

Posted 
Jun 15, 2022
 in 
Community Endeavors
 category

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