A Day on a Waterway Near You
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Month day, year
The first birchbark canoes were made by Indigenous peoples of North America in the northeastern part of what is now the United States and adjacent Canada, where white birch trees grow in abundance.
The French Voyageurs helped make North America what it is by their willingness to paddle giant canoes from the East Coast to the West Coast; from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico. While paddling they often saw sights never before seen by Europeans. They became a part of legend and their songs continue until this day. The PeaceMaker Paddles are making their own impression on history. They are the first dedicated effort in Florida, and perhaps the world, to use giant canoes to make a difference in the lives of people and families living with disabilities. Unlike the Voyageurs, you do not need to be strong and buff -- just willing to help make a difference in some lives who really need heroes by their side. The purpose of the PeaceMaker Paddle is to raise money for and awareness of the StirringWaters aquatic project being built in Central Florida. The paddling is easy to moderate on a river that does most of the work for you. Lodging and meals are provided with sleep in real beds and hot showers. There is time for relaxing and a stimulating group meeting each evening. We invite you to join one of the crews and be part of the solution. Each big canoe crew will be working to raise $50K, maybe more, for the StirringWaters construction. Each crew will be working as a team with some raising a lot and some raising not so much, but all working hard to make StirringWaters a reality. Lodging will be at the Advent Christian Village in the Village Lodge. Plan to relax in the evening as you sit on your porch high above the River and watch it move toward the Gulf. Even if you do not want to paddle, you can still sign up as a PeaceMaker and help raise money for StirringWaters.
Form a personal fundraising team to help you or represent your church, club, school, business, or community as you paddle each stroke. StirringWaters is a vision to create a unique aquatic adventure experience that is intentionally and fully inclusive of people and families living with disabilities. It will be in Central Florida and will the one place where no one is left sitting on the deck, but all can get into the fun. 
Join a Virtual Crew
Each year we have people who would like to paddle and help fundraise but simply cannot, for physical or scheduling reasons. There is no limit on how many can join a Virtual Crew and you set your own fundraising goal. Just click on the button, input your information, and we will add you to our 2025 Suwannee River PeaceMaker Paddle expedition. Then start inviting people to make donations to help create StirringWaters by supporting your effort. |
Michelle Hurst is a PeaceMaker with a heart and has consistently been our top fundraiser. She is especially looking for couples who want to work together.
To explore Michelle's team click on her photo above. 
Bill Redmon is the visionary behind StirringWaters and the PeaceMaker Paddles. In 2025 he will be celebrating his 85th birthday and would love to have a team join him who wants to push the limits.
To explore Bill's team click on his photo above. 
Raul Jimenez, Jr. is our Celebrity Captain. He dove into the water at age 16, hit his head, and has been quadriplegic ever since. But, he plans to Captain a third canoe and is looking for a crew that will join him in what may be the first ever Suwannee River paddle adventure in a Voyageur canoe for a person sitting in a wheelchair. His goal is to raise more money than the other two canoes combined as he knows how important StirringWaters will be to the community of people living with disabilities. Contact the StirringWaters team to join or support Raul's canoe.
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We are thankful for our caring SPONSORS and PARTNERS
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We LOVE our sponsors. To become a sponsor/partner contact: bill@removingthebarriers.org or call 833-457-7847.
A site of REMOVING THE BARRIERS INITIATIVE where we coordinate PEACE INITIATIVES which benefit people living with disabilities, differences, and special needs.
