Although the Annapolis community and beyond remains devastated by the tragic sailing accident that took the life of 14-year old Olivia Constants June 23, 2011, these days lots of good and exciting work is being done through the foundation set up in her memory.
To enhance and build on what’s already been accomplished in Olivia’s name, the first annual Olivia Constants Foundation Fundraiser will take place Saturday, May 11 at Mears Marina in Annapolis.
Organizers envision the evening as “an opportunity to do a little bit more, to help those we can, in the spirit of Olivia.” The night will be filled with live music, delicious food and refreshments, a small auction, and a 50/50 raffle. But mostly, it’s an opportunity to celebrate the life of an extraordinary young woman and to support the foundation’s mission, which is: To do all the good we can, for whomever we can, in the spirit of Olivia.
Steve Constants, Olivia’s father, says, “As Olivia’s parents, we hear so many stories about how she impacted others in a positive way. It has been incredible to learn from these stories what kind of character she had. She influenced people by her sweet nature, and her laugh was so contagious that it made everyone feel better. Olivia’s kind-heartedness and goodness left a legacy of how to treat people. With the foundation, we’re trying to continue that spirit and her enduring quality of character.”
Constants explains, “The foundation has been up and running for a little bit more than a year. We focus on three things. First, we award grants and scholarships. The scholarships help students pursuing college degrees, and we have a dedicated fund to help disadvantaged youth participate in sailing programs. We’ve also awarded grants to Severn River Middle School and Arnold Elementary to enhance their anti-bullying programs.”
Constants continues, “Second, the foundation is partnering with other local 501c3 organizations. We choose groups that fit with what Olivia would have liked to do, not what a bunch of parents might like. As a board, we ask ourselves, ‘What would Olivia Do?’ We want to build on her kind-heartedness.”
Finally, Constants says, “We encourage volunteerism. We’ve had groups serve breakfast on a regular basis at the Lighthouse Shelter, and we’ve supported students who’ve done food drives and other events in Olivia’s name. Our hope is that our fundraiser on May 11 will enhance our ability to make a difference in these areas of the community.”
The young sailor drowned in a highly unusual accident while crewing on a Club 420 sailboat that capsized and turtled during practice on the Severn River. Olivia’s trapeze harness became entangled with the boat’s rigging, preventing her from surfacing.
Joel Labuzetta, who was at the scene and had previously coached Olivia and her sister, is now the director of junior sailing at Annapolis YC (AYC). Labuzetta says, “Having a face and a name to associate with potential consequences has refocused people on safety equipment and procedures.” He adds, “The scholarships the foundation is awarding are making a really noticable difference and have had a significant positive impact with our teams at AYC.”
If you’re interested in applying for a scholarship or a grant, download applications and directions from the foundation’s website. There you can also learn more about Olivia and what is being accomplished in her memory. oliviaconstants.org
