It has truly been a historic year for Live Water Foundation, which makes our Holiday wishes that much more meaningful as we look toward the New Year in just a couple of weeks. In 2022, we had our first ever Live Water Luau, successfully expanded our Junior Wai Koa program to include swim instruction, and led our biggest programmatic season to date. We are extending our warmest holiday thanks to everyone who helped make this year a triumphant success!

We want to start off by thanking our bighearted volunteers who are the cornerstone in everything that we do. Running a non-profit takes a lot of work, and none of the people responsible for creating and executing our programs are compensated for doing so. It’s a 100% volunteer endeavor, and even with all of the mental and sweat equity our board members put in – we still need help! Volunteers are a vital necessity in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of the disabled military veterans and historically disenfranchised youth that we serve in our signature Wai Koa and Junior Wai programs.

We had over 40 events that required volunteers this season, not including our luau – for which our volunteers they were absolutely crucial. From helping us set up and break down, to providing the personal touch of greeting our guests with leis, they kept the entire event moving fluidly. They were integral in guaranteeing that our luau went off without a hitch, and with their assistance we were able to make sure no detail was overlooked.

Speaking of our luau, we have to of course say thank you once again to the amazing sponsors who helped us deliver a one-of-a-kind fundraising event entirely new to Annapolis. Not only was this our biggest social function yet, it was also the first one we had ever organized, so we feel extra fortunate that our sponsors felt confident in donating both their contributions as well as their names and brands. We’re so grateful for our title sponsors, Erica Baker Realtor and Proffitt Brothers Foundation, a charitable arm of Spartan Medical Inc., and the many other small businesses and organizations that signed on. Thank you to: UPS, American Gas Association, Wes Tower at Atlantic Prime Mortgage, Dock Street Bar & Grill, Even Health, Annapolis E-Foils, Absolute Fire Protection, Crest Wealth Advisors, Bay Paddle, Cecil Cummins at Hyatt Commercial, Throwing Star Collective, Living Life Everyday, Local Coast, Matt Miller at AnnieMac Home Mortgage, ABC Events, CheSUPeake, Bay Hunters Charter Fishing, and Liquified Creative.

And of course, we are always extremely grateful for our donors. Thank you to everyone who contributed to our foundation – your donations enable us to provide high quality experiences for the communities we serve, in addition to funding our numerous environmental initiatives. Whether you donated at the luau, for Giving Tuesday, or throughout the year, every dollar counts equally and we greatly appreciate you! Right now is a great time to make a donation in the tradition of holiday giving or as a gift on behalf of someone you love. Donate here.