GET ENGAGED

“Everyone who participates in the Seaport Foundation, whether as a tutor, a craftsman, a mariner, or a novice, will witness a young person changing their life by growing and maturing in just a few months. At the same time, everyone—both teacher and student—is improving their personal skills through the challenge of creating a custom-built water craft.

I volunteer because the Seaport Foundation provides an environment for personal growth, maturity, and education for people of all ages. Utilizing the heritage of maritime Alexandria, individuals experience historic on-the-water rowing and sailing; participate in boat building; teach and learn wood working; and enhance their mathematical and language skills. The personal satisfaction of watching an Apprentice gain self-confidence while learning a skill and completing an assignment is all it takes for me.”

“To me, the Seaport Foundation means hope and second chances. The apprentices I’ve worked with seem eager and hopeful to embrace changes that improve their lives. They have a second chance to learn time management, discipline, to study for their GED, and of course, learn a trade.

My life is definitely enriched through my volunteering with the Seaport Foundation. Compared to my thirty-year career teaching elementary school children, tutoring these young adults is a challenge for me. I would encourage others to be involved with ASF, because it’s a wonderful way to give back to the community. Our experience and skills definitely benefit the apprentices. In addition, we can be positive role models, which some of them greatly need.”

Tom says it is easy to get “hooked” on teaching our apprentices woodworking and seeing that spark of energy flow after a job well done.

Tom began his woodworking career at age 2 sitting on his dad’s workbench sanding boards while his dad worked on the main project.  That cooperation on projects continued steadily for seventy years.  Tom’s education is in mechanical engineering with both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in the discipline.  He spent 24 years as an army officer, 17 years as a program manager for two major defense contractors, 3 research seasons in 3-man camps on the east Antarctic ice sheet for the National Science Foundation, and 5 years assessing damage to roads, bridges, culverts and public buildings for FEMA.  He has lived and worked on 5 of the 7 continents.  Tom says it is easy to get “hooked” on teaching our apprentices woodworking and seeing that spark of energy flow after a job well done.