Amb. Evans Completes Sail Across Atlantic in Support of COAF Kids

NEW YORK—Former U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John Evans arrived in Portugal on June 14 after an adventurous sailing expedition on the 43-foot yacht “Happy Destiny” in support of the Children of Armenia Fund (COAF). This represented the very first trans-Atlantic crossing on a sailboat for Evans, as well as his fellow crew members Ray Smith, Randal Wright, and Don Kneedler. “Happy Destiny” departed from Portsmouth, Va., on May 3 making port in Bermuda and the Azores, and finally landing in southern Portugal, having successfully completed a 3,260-mile journey.

“Happy Destiny” departed from Portsmouth, Va., on May 3 making port in Bermuda and the Azores, and finally landing in southern Portugal, having successfully completed a 3,260-mile journey.
“Happy Destiny” departed from Portsmouth, Va., on May 3 making port in Bermuda and the Azores, and finally landing in southern Portugal, having successfully completed a 3,260-mile journey.

“It is necessary to take risks, but important to prepare for coping with any situation,” Evans said. “A good team can deal with any problem if there is trust and loyalty between members. Never give up in pursuing your goal, but be flexible in how you get there. Appreciate small pleasures in life, such as sleeping in a warm place and having dry clothes. Help others and they will help you. COAF symbolizes this philosophy,” he continued. “Hence my dedication of this symbolic journey for the children who have lived a life of hardship and now appreciate the good deeds of COAF sponsors.”

Former U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John Evans arrived in Portugal on June 14 after an adventurous sailing expedition on the 43-foot yacht “Happy Destiny.”
Former U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John Evans arrived in Portugal on June 14 after an adventurous sailing expedition on the 43-foot yacht “Happy Destiny.”

Garo Armen, COAF’s founder and chairman, stated, “We are deeply thankful to Ambassador John Evans for having dedicated this remarkable undertaking to COAF. We are also deeply thankful to all his COAF supporters for having contributed to this fundraising campaign in recognition of Ambassador Evans and will keep the campaign open through the end of June in his honor.”

In the mid-Atlantic leg of the trip, the crew braved bad weather with Atlantic gale force winds. Several boats returned to shore. A boat sailing nearby the rally, the “Cheeki Rafiki,”made a distress call and then disappeared. Sadly, the young crew was lost at sea. The sailors in the World Cruising Club held a moment of silence in their memory.

The Children of Armenia Fund is a non-profit, non-governmental 501(c)(3) organization. COAF uses community-led approaches to reduce rural poverty, with a particular focus on children. Since the inception of its programs in 2004, COAF has funded and implemented education, health, social, and economic development programs serving more than 25,000 people in rural villages of Armenia. The methods COAF uses in Armenia can be replicated in other communities where children are most vulnerable. These programs create and sustain opportunities for growth and progress. For more information, visit www.coafkids.org or call (212) 994-8234.

Guest Contributor

Guest Contributor

Guest contributions to the Armenian Weekly are informative articles or press releases written and submitted by members of the community.

1 Comment

  1. What a fine example of good men to undertake this fund raising mission for the children of Armenia. The United States and Armenia were truly fortunate to of had John Evans as the United States Ambassador to Armenia. I wish the crew of this mission the best of life.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.


*