The 2023 annual Paladin Boat Ride and Community Event made waves on Friday, August 18 as over 200 people from the community came out for a sunny afternoon packed with fun, food, and friendship. For 24 years the event has provided people with disabilities and their families with a unique opportunity, and this year was no exception.
Charter Captains Mike Hambel and Steve Kreighbaum started the Paladin Boat Ride and Community Event simply because they thought it was the right thing to do. Neither realized how meaningful the event would become.
“We started this event 24 years ago when Steve came to me asking if it was a good idea. I said let’s do it. A year later I had a son and then a year after that I found out that my son has a disability. Things happen in strange ways sometimes, but I know this is what I was meant to do,” said Hambel.
A few years later, Steve Kreighbaum passed away, but his son Tyler Kreighbaum decided to keep putting the event on with Hambel and hold it in his father’s memory. Today, the event serves as a memorial, an opportunity to advocate for people with disabilities, and, most importantly, an exciting way to bring people together.
“I just love seeing all the smiles every year, not just from the participants, but from all the people who come out to help. The firemen, the charter boat captains, the EMS, the Coast Guard--all of them enjoy coming out each year to help make a difference,” said Hambel.
One of those smiling faces was Victor Tieri, owner of Harbor Country Adventures, who started helping out with the event a few years ago. When the event first started, over 30 boats were needed to take everyone out on a ride. It was difficult to coordinate, so when Hambel found out that Tieri’s charter boat could hold up to 150 people, he asked Tieri if he’d like to help out. Tieri was immediately on board.
“I’ve been very blessed in my life and I wouldn’t have gotten to where I am today without a lot of people helping me and offering me different resources, so I am absolutely happy to pay it forward. If I can do something for people who are less fortunate and make them happy for a little bit I’m all in,” said Tieri.
This year, everyone lined up eagerly to get onto Tieri’s boat, ready to get out on the water. The firemen placed a ramp to ensure everyone, including people with all different types of wheelchairs, could get on safely and were there to lend a helping hand to those who needed it.
Once everyone was all aboard, the boat took off. Everyone whooped and cheered and waved to the people on shore; they couldn’t contain their gleeful laughter as the boat swayed back and forth with the waves. It was touching to see firsthand the opportunities that become available when efforts toward accessibility are made.
“It boggles my mind that so many people live close to our lake but have never been out on it because they don’t have the same access. Just seeing all the happy looks on their faces you can see how much it means to them. In a day and age when there are so many people who are hurting, it’s important to help others. Even if it’s just doing something to give them a bright spot in their day,” said Tieri.
Not only was the event a great way to bring everyone together for a lighthearted day of fun, but it was also a great way to raise awareness for people with disabilities. As everyone laughed, danced, ate, and sang their hearts out, one thing was abundantly clear: people with disabilities know how to party just as much as the next person. A person with a disability is no different and deserves to be treated the same as everyone else.
“A lot of times disabled people are forgotten in society by everyone other than their immediate families and friends. Many people don’t understand how to interact with someone who has a disability and are afraid to be around those individuals. I’ve had so many people who were nervous to volunteer come back to me saying how glad they were to help and how much they learned. It really changes people’s perspective on people who have disabilities,” said Hambel.
Ultimately, the 24th annual Paladin Boat Ride and Community Event was an astounding success. Hambal, Kreighbaum, and the Paladin team are grateful to everyone who came out to help make the event as heartwarming and uplifting as ever.
“Without all the contributors for the food, the tents, the boats, everything, all of this would be impossible,” said Hambel.
Next year, Paladin will be celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Boat Ride and Community Event. The day is sure to be the biggest and most unforgettable boat ride yet, so keep on the lookout for more information.
“The bigger the better. 25 years is such a big accomplishment--we definitely have to step up our game. We’re already getting started,” said Kreighbaum.
To learn more about Paladin and everything it does to raise awareness for people with disabilities, visit https://paladin.care/.