August 14, 2024 1:08 pm
• Last Updated: August 14, 2024 1:34 pm
New London ― When Wilson Meunier Mott was brainstorming what to do for his 8th grade community service project at Monsignor Clarke School in Wakefield, Rhode Island, his love of sailing came to mind immediately.
“They have fundraising walks and runs. and we thought why not do a fundraising sail,” said his mother Erin Meunier.
The teen and his family, who live in Westerly, approached New England Science & Sailing Foundation, where he is a member of the Opti race team, with the idea.
On Wednesday morning, the 13-year-old set off on a solo sail on his Optimist sailboat for a long-distance sail from Green Harbor Beach in New London to the NESS dock in Stonington as a fundraiser for NESS’s Fund A Student Scholarship Challenge.
“This is definitely the furthest I’ve ever sailed alone,” said Wilson who started sailing with NESS four years ago, but has been on boats his whole life.
He and his family towed the sailboat from Stonington to New London first thing in the morning, and he set off from the NESS dock at Green Harbor Beach just after 8:30 a.m. He used a map and GPS to navigate the waters of the Long Island Sound as his family followed him in a motor boat.
“We want him to be self sufficient and navigate alone, but also wanted to be here just in case of emergency,” said his father, Tom Mott.
He arrived in Stonington around 1 p.m., according to NESS Director of Marketing & Communications Kasey Commander.
Wilson quickly met his original $1,000 goal after sharing the online link a few weeks ago, and by mid-day Wednesday his online fundraiser had raised $3,675.
“I’ve always loved being on the water,” said Wilson, “and I wanted to make sure everyone else can experience it.”
The Fund a Student Scholarship Challenge is a community-wide initiative with a goal to raise $100,000 this summer to support the scholarship programs at NESS.
The scholarship program supports students and school groups by funding classes, school programs and programs like the Green Harbor Youth Sailing Camp.
Those interested in donating can visit donation or NESS donation when Wilson’s project is over.
s.gordon@theday.com