Mission Moments
Sail Cargo
Sail Cargo Inc. the 2019 recipient of Positive Legacy’s first John Long Entrepreneurial Award for their are well on their way to fulfilling their mission to inspire change in the shipping industry. Along with laying the keel in January 2019 and making tremendous progress on their dream throughout the year they also found great success in other ways: from holding the first Annual Summit to facilitate communication in the green cargo industry, to erecting an education center that has brought learning and career opportunities for locals in woodworking and small boat building, to being able to provide employment opportunities to the local women for cooking services. Watch their amazing progress unfold here.
Hands Up for Haiti
At Hands Up for Haiti (HUFH), they deliver lifesaving health care to the sickest and most impoverished people of Northern Haiti. They do it by “Sante Kominotè” - Community Based Health Care delivered by hands on the ground, in collaboration with helping hands from neighbors to the north. With Positive Legacy’s continued funding, they are achieving truly life-saving results as they realize their vision: Haitian Run + Haitian Led = Lifesaving Programs that Build a Better Future. Their staff of 40 Haitian medical and lay professionals deliver life-saving programs to their own communities in the way that they know best. Fritznel Jean the Assistant ED from the in-country leadership team shared that “Together with your support, we made Hands Up for Haiti become our own on the ground and that brought many positive changes. During the unrest and now because of the travel bans, many organizations couldn’t follow up because they rely on people from USA or Canada. These people had to leave the country or couldn’t get there. But at Hands Up for Haiti, because we have done so much EDUCATION and TRAINING with your support, our ground staff could take over. Our Hands up for Haiti staff did not give up. We created strategies to get to the communities we are serving, especially the malnourished children.”
2017 funding for Hypertension Screening and Treatment was in demand due to a great need with communities asking for such a program in northern rural Haiti. In the words of the patients enrolled in the program in Dondon, Haiti, where the program saw almost a 100% compliance rate with our partners Hand Up For Haiti: They are so grateful and patient Wisly said they come every month because “This program saves our lives.” They feel better and enjoy the education.
Water wells funded in 2016 with our partners Hand Up For Haiti reaped rewards during Hurricane Irma. Bod me Limbe flooded as it frequently does. Cholera again became a major threat, but with the availability of clean water from their wells, the people of BML had much better chances to remain healthy.
In 2016, PL also provided funding to upgrade the generator and electrical system of a core medical clinic serving 25,000 people in the neighborhood of Shada, the most impoverished area of Cap Haitian, so that the clinic could function properly and serve the community. Upon completion the clinic administrator for over a decade, Miguel-Ange, asked that we be told: “Thank you for the electricity.” One morning before a visiting outreach team was to arrive at the clinic 40 people were waiting in the outside area for the team to begin. The patients and their children were all dressed in their Sunday best to see the doctor. The clinic serves hundreds of patients each month, hosts both prenatal and childhood malnutrition programs, offers vaccines; and in essence, is the only low-cost clinic to serve the 25,000 people living in abject poverty in Shada. They currently see about 150 patients each month, 3⁄4 of whom are children.
Menos Plastico es Fantastico
By late March 2020 when the world pandemic crisis truly began to impact everyone the crew working the weekly Saturday beach cleanings in Punta Herradura, MX with the Menos Plastico es Fantastico team began to get weary of their future. At the end of that last clean-up in March when they were weighing the trash for the weekly report everyone in the group started telling the coordinator, Evan, how grateful they were to be a part of the team. Most of them had already lost their jobs at the local port and were very concerned with how they were going to survive over the next few months. Every single one of the 10 community members were nearly in tears as they thanked Evan for not giving up on this project and for providing them with some weekly income to help cover their basic necessities. The humble team specifically asked Evan to reach out and thank Positive Legacy for supporting them and to let PL know how important our support really is in these people’s lives.
COVID-19 Relief Fund
In April 2020 Positive Legacy, along with the rest of the country, began to grasp the short and long term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic around us including that on our largest partner in making a difference, the music industry. The board and staff quickly reorganized to continue to do what we do best - help people in need. The Positive Legacy COVID-19 Relief Fundraiser was launched and within two weeks we were able to fund 60 individuals with micro-grants of $250 each. As of May 11th we have surpassed our initial matching goal of raising $10K for a total of $20K. There are still many qualified out of work gig workers hoping to get some extra relief though so we are raising the bar and our goal to $50K! Here is what some of the recipients from Round 1 of funding had to say:
"OMG I think I'm going to cry...THANK YOU!
This helps me keep my house and make it another month until I can apply for unemployment. I'm truly honored to be in this industry and I'm forever grateful to you." ~Jen
"Allow me to personally thank you for approving my application. I am totally thankful for the efforts of everyone at Positive Legacy. Facing financial difficulty in these unprecedented times, this grant is of incredible help. Thank you! ~Julien
"Thank you so much. This really helps me out. I have lost all gigs due to this covid19. PL is awesome." ~Jeremy
"Thank you so much! This is highly appreciated! Hope to see you guys soon. We’ll be back on a boat or a beach sooner than we know hopefully! I will definitely be sharing. Thank you guys for everything you do!" ~Jerod
Dreams for Mayan Children
The Learning Center “La Casa de la Naturaleza” or the House of Nature in Nuevo Durango, MX, funded and operational thanks to our partner Dreams for Mayan Children in 2018- 2019 is currently offering programs for locals and tourists! The Center not only encourages children to become “Green Leaders” with various environmental education but the music program that is held on a bi-weekly basis has experienced great success. In addition to the music classes children are given the opportunity to participate in different educational programs and trips including projects with the Playa Xuuxne group located in Playa del Carmen. This provides an opportunity for children to see and learn with the children of the city and vice versa exchanging cultural views and bringing together two different communities allowing each side to learn from one another. These trips give the village kids the opportunity to exit their comfort zones to experience what life is like outside of their village. In return the children of indigenous communities are able to share their traditions & cultures with the children from the city. This has created valuable experiences for children from both communities.
All Hands & Hearts
When Juan Ignacio Capilla [79] first met the All Hands and Hearts Co-Founder Petra Nemcova and long-time friend and philanthropist Frank Giustra, he had one plea: help him fix his wind-torn roof. Not for himself, but for Francisca, his 93 year-old mother. After Hurricane Maria ravaged Puerto Rico in September 2017, Juan (previously a carpenter for 40 years) managed to fix his roof enough to create a livable environment for the two of them; however, the leaking was a constant hindrance on everyday life, and the one thing Juan needed to get him and his mother back to normal. Volunteers arrived early in the morning and were promptly greeted by Juan, Francisca, and Juan’s granddaughter, Javi. Throughout the two days that the volunteers replaced the roof, the family and neighbors watched, laughed, and talked with them. Agradecido, spanish for grateful, was a word heard often - Granddaughter Javi liked to remind the volunteers, “My grandmother is waiting for her dry home. We’re all so grateful for you.” At the end of Day Two, Juan was able to bring Francisca to see their new roof and greet the volunteers. Through tears, she asked to meet each volunteer and thank them individually, giving them kisses and blessings. The process from the initial assessment of their needs to putting on a whole new roof took two weeks. In parallel, Juan stared thoughtfully at the roof and repeated tearfully, “No hay agua. No hay filtracion.” There’s no water. There’s no leaking.
Fuentes De Vita
Positive Legacy participated in a 5 year intensive community development program aimed to provide safe drinking water and wastewater treatment for 500 people and 128 homes through the Fuentes de Vida (or sources of life) project in Domingo Maiz, Veron, Dominican Republic. In 2016 the project was awarded the Ecological Water Sources Planting Award from the Sur Futuro Foundation highlighting the efficient use and conservation of water and its quality, making it a viable example for replication in other communities in the region.
Everyone Orchestra
“Positive Legacy provides an important and unique opportunity for fans and professional musicians to make a difference in the communities they are visiting as well as reinforcing the strong community bonds that are the roots of our scene. Music is fun to dance to, but more importantly it brings us together, gives us friendships and community and PL gives us extra purpose and meaning to all of that.” Matt Butler - Everyone Orchestra
2019-2020 Day Of Service Guest Testimonials
“We love to be a part of PL. The turtle beach has made major progress. This is our 4th year and we’ve made friends through PL. Thanks!”
Closer to the Sun -- Joe & Jean, Mt Vernon, WA
“I look forward to this day of service every time I come to CTTS. :) So grateful to be a part of such an amazing group of humans. And thank you for taking such good care of us when we are away from the resort. Soooo much love.”
Closer to the Sun -- Brooke, Denver, CO
“I have a completely new view on Styrofoam and plastics. My kids are going to hear all about this. Thank you for the day.”
Wilco -- Meggan, AK
“I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to make a positive impact by clearing trails and cleaning up the environment. Positive Legacy is a great organization and I would love to do this more often on vacation! <3 <3 <3”
Wilco --- Debora, Laguna Beach, CA
“Thankful that Positive Legacy exists & that we had an opportunity to contribute something positive to the local community. This entire experience was very eye opening and, honestly, terrifying. It’s insane the amount of trash we found on such a small piece of the beach and it really makes you reconsider your consumer habits. Feeling thankful today.”
Wilco -- Jesse, Boynton Beach, FL
“Such an eye opening experience. Proved to me that we all can take little steps to improve things. If we are ALL taking a step, that translates to millions of miles!”
Wilco - Barb, NJ
“Thanks for encouraging kids to join and learn about taking care of our environment. Educational and fun!”
PELP9 -- Bonny, Verity & Eliza, New Orleans, LA
“Such an amazing experience- equal parts fun & feel good. Eye opening to see how we are impacting our world with plastic – truly life changing. Grateful for the experience – will never miss the opportunity to join a Positive Legacy event! Thank you!”
GJWW2 -- Julie, Atlanta, GA
“Thank you for reminding us about our choices both with how we handle our trash and the products we buy that create it.”
GJWW2 -- Shawn and Jennifer, Binghamton, NY
“Great day learning about what Positive Legacy is doing to help save the planet. It was amazing-in a sad way- to see how much trash is out there on the beach. Thank you for the opportunity to help.”
GJWW2 -Yaria & Kris from Washington
“Love the opportunity to teach our kids about the world around them, and caring for the earth. Thanks for helping us help our kids be better people.”
AATB -- Owen, Eli, Amy and Steve- Rhinebeck, NY
“This was all we hoped it would be: some giving back, some learning, some inspiration, meeting nice people and good food! We appreciated seeing a bit of the Dominican Republic outside of the resort.”
AATB -- Rick and Linda - Pineyflats, TN
“What a fantastic initiative! It felt SO good to give back to our beautiful host country. It was a real eye-opener to travel through the community and learn more about local life. Thank you! I am inspired to do more events like this!”
AATB -- Joanna - Livemore, CA
From access to health care and clean water, to education, tree planting, or reef restoration and protection, Positive Legacy provides opportunities to make a real difference through partnerships, financial support and when we can, actual hands-on help. We are fortunate to be able to utilize music as a vehicle for outreach and collaboration, thus uniting musicians, fans and community. This unique approach allows us to take something entertaining and add value for all involved. We make a difference wherever we go by spreading compassion for humankind and the environment.
Hands Up for Haiti
At Hands Up for Haiti (HUFH), they deliver lifesaving health care to the sickest and most impoverished people of Northern Haiti. They do it by “Sante Kominotè” - Community Based Health Care delivered by hands on the ground, in collaboration with helping hands from neighbors to the north. With Positive Legacy’s continued funding, they are achieving truly life-saving results as they realize their vision: Haitian Run + Haitian Led = Lifesaving Programs that Build a Better Future. Their staff of 40 Haitian medical and lay professionals deliver life-saving programs to their own communities in the way that they know best. Fritznel Jean the Assistant ED from the in-country leadership team shared that “Together with your support, we made Hands Up for Haiti become our own on the ground and that brought many positive changes. During the unrest and now because of the travel bans, many organizations couldn’t follow up because they rely on people from USA or Canada. These people had to leave the country or couldn’t get there. But at Hands Up for Haiti, because we have done so much EDUCATION and TRAINING with your support, our ground staff could take over. Our Hands up for Haiti staff did not give up. We created strategies to get to the communities we are serving, especially the malnourished children.”
2017 funding for Hypertension Screening and Treatment was in demand due to a great need with communities asking for such a program in northern rural Haiti. In the words of the patients enrolled in the program in Dondon, Haiti, where the program saw almost a 100% compliance rate with our partners Hand Up For Haiti: They are so grateful and patient Wisly said they come every month because “This program saves our lives.” They feel better and enjoy the education.
Water wells funded in 2016 with our partners Hand Up For Haiti reaped rewards during Hurricane Irma. Bod me Limbe flooded as it frequently does. Cholera again became a major threat, but with the availability of clean water from their wells, the people of BML had much better chances to remain healthy.
In 2016, PL also provided funding to upgrade the generator and electrical system of a core medical clinic serving 25,000 people in the neighborhood of Shada, the most impoverished area of Cap Haitian, so that the clinic could function properly and serve the community. Upon completion the clinic administrator for over a decade, Miguel-Ange, asked that we be told: “Thank you for the electricity.” One morning before a visiting outreach team was to arrive at the clinic 40 people were waiting in the outside area for the team to begin. The patients and their children were all dressed in their Sunday best to see the doctor. The clinic serves hundreds of patients each month, hosts both prenatal and childhood malnutrition programs, offers vaccines; and in essence, is the only low-cost clinic to serve the 25,000 people living in abject poverty in Shada. They currently see about 150 patients each month, 3⁄4 of whom are children.
COVID-19 Relief Fund
In April 2020 Positive Legacy began to grasp the short and long term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the impact on our largest partner in making a difference: the music industry. We quickly reorganized to continue to do what we do best - help people in need. The Positive Legacy COVID-19 Relief Fundraiser was launched and as of July, 2020 we raised and distributed over $32,000 in $250 payments to live music industry crew who are out of work.
Here is what a couple recipients had to say:
"This helps me keep my house and make it another month until I can apply for unemployment. I'm truly honored to be in this industry and I'm forever grateful to you." ~Jen
"Allow me to personally thank you for approving my application. I am totally thankful for the efforts of everyone at Positive Legacy. Facing financial difficulty in these unprecedented times, this grant is of incredible help. Thank you!” ~Julien