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Alexandria, VA (May 18, 2005) – Alexandria’s Old Dominion Boat Club (ODBC) hosted a special event on the water today for local children with special needs. Members of the Club took more than 75 young people from four area schools on a cruise of the Potomac River, followed by lunch at the Club and a tour of the oldest boat club in Virginia.

 “This day is beyond anything the children could imagine doing,” said Jacqualyne Evans-McCrae, teacher at John Adams and school coordinator for the event. “What they experienced today improves their social and learning skills and takes things from abstract to reality.”

 ODBC President Chris Marino said, “We have been sponsoring programs for our Alexandria students with special needs for more than 40 years.  We’re thrilled to offer these children a chance for new experiences and we’re proud to keep traditions like this going strong.”  

 The  John Glenn Fireboat met the Dandy near Haines Point and sprayed it’s hoses. Harry Harrington, coordinator of the event for ODBC and Past President said, “ many thanks goes out to the owners of the Dandy and the D.C. Fire Department for their support in helping us make this a memorable day for our kids.”                                                                                   ###

The Old Dominion Boat Club has been a part of the Alexandria community since its first meeting in September of 1880. Over the course of its 125-year history, the Boat Club has consistently promoted charitable causes and community service. Among the club’s many community activities and outreach opportunities are its sponsorship of the Select Fall H.S. Rowing Program, 30-year-long sponsorship of a Salvation Army Christmas Bell Ringing, charitable donations to the Make a Wish Foundation and Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and funding of high school scholarships for rowing. 

 Since occupying its current location, the boat club’s membership has grown from 75 to more than 700 on the current roster. In addition to a many notable Alexandria citizens, the membership has included a number of nationally known figures over the years.  Among these are the late Arthur Godfrey and Virginia Gov. Westmoreland Davis.