Columbus Federal Voice Nov. 25, 1997

'Coastie a hit with patients at Children's Hospital'

by Mike Ward
DSCC Public Affairs Office

Recently I had an opportunity to spend an evening at Children's Hospital with a very special little boat. I knew that when this little boat made its entrance into the lobby of the hospital, it was going to make a big splash with everyone.

Before it was unloaded off its trailer by Mike Robeano, a program analyst at the Defense Supply Center, Columbus and John Wargo, a water craft officer with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, it was immediately surrounded by inquisitive children and adults alike. This was just the beginning of a night that would bring tears and joy to many.

Coastie a robotic mascot of the U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, was first introduced in the Columbus Federal Voice in June, 1996. It was through the help of Robeano and Wargo, that Coastie has interacted with more than 10,000 kids, participated in the Pittsburgh Three Riverfest and numerous other Safety City events and programs and has been featured in numerous newspaper articles.

"Coastie's initial purpose was to visit local schools to teach children water and boating safety," said Robeano. "But we decided to expand his role. For the last three months Coastie has been making trips once a month to Children's."

From the minute Coastie was rolled into the main lobby of Children's he was a hit. "Everyone loves him," said Donna Trentel, child life supervisor at Children's. "He has brought so much joy to the children. Well, let me put it this way, not only the children, but to anyone he comes in contact with.

"He not only puts smiles on the children that are patients here, but also to their parents, who in most cases haven't had much to smile about," said Trentel. "But, also to the staff who experience so much pain and suffering just by working here."

This one particular evening Coastie visited several children and parents. There was little red-headed Michael Taylor, from Kenton, Oh., who seemed a little skeptical and standoffish, but did manage a smile and wave goodbye. Then there was Matthew Elliott of Gallapolis, Oh., who was more than happy to see and talk with Coastie. His only complaint, "they won't let me go home."

As Coastie made his way through the hallways he stopped and made conversation through a voice modulation device with all that he met, while Wargo passed out coloring books. At one point he even danced the macarena with a small visitor to the hospital.

Coastie has made many friends during his short three months at Children's, but one stands out over the others said Robeano. Caleb Campbell, a five-year-old, from Glouster, Oh. Caleb was diagnosed with leukemia in December, 1996.

"When we first met Caleb we were told by his parents that he was so near death the night before, that it was a miracle that he was alive that evening," said Robeano. "At first there was no response from him as Coastie went about his business of trying to make Caleb smile, but by the time we left he had managed a very small smile.

"The next month we visited we asked if Caleb was still alive, we were told he was," said Robeano. "When we went to his room it was unbelievable what we saw, he looked so much better."

When Robeano and Wargo visited Caleb just last week what they found was even more remarkable. "Caleb wasn't in his room when we reached the nurse's station," said Robeano. "We were told that he was out with his parents and would return shortly. A few moments later Caleb and his parents appeared from around the corner. Although his mouth was covered with a mask, a joy and surprise burst through his eyes when he saw Coastie.

"I couldn't believe my eyes," said Robeano. "I think the thing that caught my eye first, was the fact that he now has hair."

Coastie and Caleb began to talk to each other immediately. Reminiscing about the few times they have spent together and Coastie inquiring as to whether Caleb still wanted to be a fireman and if fire trucks were still his number one love. But for some reason, this one evening Coastie moved from number two to number one said Robeano.

"I thought I had been surprised enough by seeing Caleb looking so much healthier and the fact he had hair," said Robeano. "But when it was time for us to leave, Caleb's mother asked if he wanted to hug Coastie, being a little hesitant at first, he suddenly got out of his wheelchair and walked a few steps to give Coastie a big hug.

"This certainly has to be the highlight of our visits," said Robeano. "His mother told us just before we left how grateful they were and that after each visit Caleb seems to get better each time he sees Coastie."

Is it the treatments Caleb is receiving? or is it the miracle of Coastie that keeps Caleb alive? "I guess we'll never know," said Robeano. "but I do know one thing, whatever it is everyone associated with this little boy is very grateful."

Columbus Federal Voice June 24, 1998

'U.S. Coast Guard launches youth safe boating campaign'

The U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary's newest Ambassador for youth boating education, "Coastie The Safety Boat", was honored as a guest presenter and awardee at the International Boating and Water Safety Summit.

The summit held May 4 in Hollywood Fla., draws together boating and water safety educators from around the nation and the world. The purpose is to share water safety education innovations. The event is sponsored by the National Safe Boating Council and the National Water Safety Congress.

Coastie presented his program, through the help of an auxiliary member's voice, in a breakout workshop session to educators interested in youth boating education programs.

Coastie received great reviews from attendees. He also generated many inquiries about establishing similar programs throughout the United States, and even Italy and South Africa.

Coastie participated in the general session and presented a preview of his upcoming workshop along with a presentation by the Chief, of the USCGAUX National Youth Education Team, Betty Oakey. Oakey discussed the new "Boats Water-N-Kids" programs.

"As always Coastie made a solid impact on the modernization of youth education," said Everett Tucker, national commodore, USCGA. "He represented the U.S. Coast Guard and USCGAUX with great pride and professionalism."

During the May 6 banquet, Coastie received the International Water Safety Congress Award of Merit for his successful program.

"Overall the event was a great experience as Coastie interacted with many individuals from the USCG and other state and governmental agencies in support of recreational boating and water safety education," said Mike Robeano, Division 18, 8th Eastern Region public education officer.

Columbus Federal Voice Nov. 25, 1998

'Coastie teaches area children fun-filled safety'

"Excuse me, I just wanted to give Coastie something special," said the young boy who was being treated for burns on his body, as he gave the little boat a big hug and a medallion that said, "Children are the Champions!" and Coastie responded with, "that they are!"

Coastie, the safety boat, made a return visit recently to Columbus' Children's Hospital Nov. 3. As he traveled from room to room playing music, singing songs, and telling jokes he met a charming little boy named Jeremy Race.

On Oct. 25 Jeremy was burned in a home accident leaving him with second degree burns on his chest and neck.

"Coastie, remember me? I met you at the DSCC Family FunFest," asked little Jeremy, 10-year-old son of Sheri Race, a legal assistant, in the DLA Office of Council for the Columbus Region, at the Defense Supply Center, Columbus.

During their visit Jeremy sang happy birthday to Coastie, as always with every visit it's Coastie's Birthday - he's five-years-old. Coastie played the OSU Fight song, although he didn't know Jeremy was a Michigan fan.

The two talked and shared things they both liked to do. Jeremy gave Coastie a small pumpkin and also some of his Trick-or-Treat candy he had collected at the hospital during Halloween. Before Coastie left to visit others, Jeremy posed for a picture with Coastie, his mom and Mike Robeano, Coastie's operator.

Robeano, a supply systems analyst at DSCC, is the creator of the Coastie program and Coastie's dad.

"It was really nice to see a familiar face," said Race. "I didn't realize that Mike was a volunteer. You don't realize the kind and number of people who volunteer in places like that. It's really nice they give their time."

Jeremy wondered if he would see the little boat again, his mother assured him that he and Coastie would see each other again at next year's Family Funfest.

Editor's Note: Jeremy returned to school last Thursday and is doing fine.

International Boating and Water Safety Summit, Albuquerque, New Mexico April 23, 1999

The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, 8th Eastern Region, Division 18, Flotilla 18-6, "Coastie The Safety Boat, Youth Education Program" was selected as the National Safe Boating Council's, Southern Regional Winner for the "NSBC Program Advancement Award". This honor placed Coastie in competition with the other two regional program contenders for the National title.

Prior to the NSBC Regional Award, Coastie also received the National Water Safety Congress Eastern Regional Award for this outstanding program. The three contenders for the National Award were, "Spirit of America", Cleveland, OH, the "Coastie Youth Education Program" U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary 8th Eastern Region, and the "Utah Personal Watercraft Safety Program". On Friday, April 23, each organization was given 15 minutes to present their programs in an education breakout session. Judges unknown to the three presenters were placed among the other observers. The competition was intense as all three programs strove for the National title. When the presentations were complete it was obvious that three outstanding Boating and Water Safety programs had been shared with the International educators. It was not until that evening at the Awards Banquet that the National Winner was revealed. All three programs are outstanding and the judging, according to Ed Carter, Awards Chairman, was extremely difficult. It was stated that the "Coastie the Safety Boat Youth Education Program" was unanimously voted number one 1999 National Winner by the judges and we are so very proud to have received this great honor on behalf of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary.

The National Coastie Program Administrator and "Coastie's Dad", Michael Robeano, accepted the two regional and national awards. Mike's acceptance speech was short but gave great praise to the Coastie Team back in Ohio. Mike stated that this outstanding program is a success because of a Partnership created between a group of individuals representing the Coast Guard Auxiliary, ODNR Division of Watercraft, and U.S. Power Squadrons. This Partnership stands as a superb example that three Boating Education organizations can work together for a "Common Goal" and that no one person stands alone.

This program is the pinnacle of success in a two year effort to bring Boating and Water Safety to our youth. It uses a presentation technology which has been around for many years even though it has been a "sleeping giant" until it was fully awakened by the "Coastie Team". The Coastie program is sweeping the nation and there are now five Coasties. The sites are Westerville and Marietta, Ohio; Jacksonville, Florida; Boston Massachusetts; and Scarsdale, New York. And there are approximately 15 more Auxiliary and USCG sites looking into acquiring a Coastie!

During the Summit Coastie had the honor of meeting Admiral Paul Pluta, 8th Coast Guard District Commander, and presented him with a Coastie Team hat. Coastie shared with the Admiral the efforts that were being made to acquire a Coastie for the 8th District, New Orleans. The Admiral congratulated Coastie for his outstanding program and presented Coastie with an 8th District pin. This was prior to the national recognition.

As always Coastie was a big hit at the Summit as he represented the United States Coast Guard and Auxiliary with great pride and professionalism. Coastie was accompanied by the National Commodore, Everette L. Tucker, the 7th District Past Commodore Joseph E. Norman and the 8th District Eastern Region Past Commodore Warren E. McAdams, Chief of the Recreational Boating Branch where the Coastie National Program now resides.

We salute the National Safe Boating Council and the National Water Safety Congress for the honors bestowed upon our program. We also thank them for a summit dedicated to Boating and Water Safety Education that, without question, is sharing great programs around the country and around the world which are "Saving Lives Through Education".

11 Jan 00

Dear Coastie,

We just came from the Boat and RV Show at the Ohio State Fair grounds. My kids thought you were great. Brian is 3 and Rachel is 5. Talking with Coastie was the highlight of our visit. What a fun, friendly way to tell kids about water safety. Keep up the good work!

Michele Sapp

12 Jan 00

Just wanted to drop you a note and let you know Coastie was a hit at\par Columbus Boat show this past weekend, this was by far the best looking\par boat in the building !!!!!! The picture was of my wife and little boy Tyler born 10-20-99. Thanks for bring a few smiles to the crowd and the education that you are giving back to the boaters.

Britt

15 Jan 00

My name is JT Wittman. I'm 2 1/2 and am from Avon Lake, OH. I saw you just today at the Cleveland Indoor Boat Show at the I-X Center. I saw you dancing, and singing and talking to the kids. I thought you were really cool and cute. I was with my Daddy, who is in the Coast Guard and he told me all about who you are and what you do. I think you're really great and I hope to see you again soon. Bye Bye Coastie!

JT Wittman

Coastie's Status Sheet

44" Coastie Low Endurance Cutter (WAUX)