Women Helping Women

Women Behind the Wheel is designed and taught by Carly Poole.  The idea driving the course was to design a course that would give women the knowledge, experience, and confidence to enjoy boating on their own terms and to help them have an active role in the way their free time is spent.  The names of the courses are taken from the lives of two women who exemplify this quality, Ida Lewis and Mabel Bacon.  These women actively bettered their own lives and the lives of others. 

The spirit of life in action continues through the charitable donation Women Behind the Wheel makes to the Kelly Shires Foundation.  A part of the cost of each Women Behind the Wheel course is graciously donated to the Kelly Shires Foundation.

Kelly Shires is an example of the active pursuit of life.  As an avid boater, snowmobiler and active employee of the Ontario Marina Operators Association, Kelly's diagnosis with breast cancer could not stop her from actively participating in her own life.  When diagnosed with breast cancer, Kelly started a foundation to raise money for women who suffer from the disease.  Kelly knew from her experience the costs associated with treatment and various other expenses.  Kelly succumbed to breast cancer in October of 2004, but her legacy has continued through the foundation she started. 

The foundation raises money through female snowmobile races and other female oriented events to help pay for unforeseen expenses women may face, which health insurance programs do not cover.  The trust provides assistance to women in similar situations to help make their fight with cancer less challenging.  Buckeye Marine is honoured to take the opportunity, while women are together, to welcome a representative from the foundation to educate women.  In recognition of Kelly's life and her example of living it actively, Women Behind the Wheel makes an annual donation to the Kelly Shires Foundation. 

Click here for more information on Kelly and the Kelly Shires Foundation.