We are reaching out to you, as family and friends of our beloved John Vittori, to help us raise a scholarship fund in his memory, to assist in funding the opportunity for young sailors to participate in summer sailing programs in Boston and New Bedford.

John had many passions in his life - his family, his home, his work, his friends - and, amidst it all - there was sailing. Sailing occupied a very special place in John's heart and his life, from his earliest days as a 12 year old newbie in a Community Boating dinghy in the Charles Basin, to many sailing adventures in the waters of the Atlantic, to his last sails with his family and friends, on the Lady V out of Clark's Cove, New Bedford.

Reflecting now, several years after John's passing, we think that setting up this memorial fund will honor his life by providing to other young sailors the same opportunity that got John started in the Community Boating summer youth program in Boston.

We have identified opportunities to donate for this purpose at both Community Boating in Boston and Community Boating Center in New Bedford. Being able to contribute in both locations will honor John's sailing beginning as well as where he spent many happy hours in the last years of his life. We are reaching out to you - family and friends - to join with us in supporting this lasting tribute to our beloved John.

Our goal is to fund at least two tuitions per year, for five years, at each center. If more is possible - that will be wonderful!

You may choose either of the two centers for your donation - ideally we can fund an equal amount going to each. We would encourage you to split your donation to provide some funding for each center.

You will see the two choices come up when you click on "Give Now" The names of the two centers are very similar:

- Community Boating Inc is the Boston location - https://www.community-boating.org

- Community Boating Center Inc is the New Bedford location - https://www.communityboating.org

We have made it more clear on the giving page for each, which is New Bedford and which is Boston. Your donations go direct to the two centers, who will send you an acknowledgment for tax purposes.

In order to have the funds in place for at least 2 sailors in each center for the 2026 summer season, we would like to raise a minimum of $1,000 for each center by the end of November. We will keep the fundraiser open to enable donations over time to reach our total goal of $10,000 - and hopefully beyond!

Through your generous gift, you will help us keep John's sailing spirit alive - Keep On Sailing!

Thank you for joining with us to honor John in this special way - anyone who knows John knows this will resonate with his spirit!