PHOTO: FACEBOOK
The next time someone talks about heroes, look no farther than Alex Braden. Braden, the co-founder and retired chairman and CEO of Yachting Partners International, http://www.ypigroup.com has been named a YachtWorld Hero for 2011 by the YachtWorld Foundation.
The YachtWorld Foundation is the charitable arm of YachtWorld.com, and both were established by Jessica Muffet. The Foundation was formed in 2010 to raise funds for and awareness of charitable organizations dedicated to the ocean, and the idea for the YachtWorld Heroes program sprang from it last year. Nominations come from the marine industry, for individuals and organizations that are making a difference in a variety of ways. Protecting the marine environment and helping educate others about the joys of boating are two examples. And, in the case of Braden, making a positive impact on the world is a third.
Braden and his family established Encompass: The Daniel Braden Reconciliation Trust in 2003. Encompass honors the memory of Daniel Braden, Alex’s son. Daniel was among the people killed in the terrorist bombing of a Balinese nightclub in 2002. The Braden family created the organization to encourage youth of varying backgrounds, including religious and cultural, to respect each other and to promote tolerance within their own communities. It does so through a variety of group activities (above) and meetings. Encompass reports that it has united more than 1,000 people worldwide to date.
In a statement, Alex Braden says, “This whole ‘hero’ thing is totally over the top and a bit embarrassing, but I am very grateful to the YachtWorld Foundation and their YachtWorld Hero program, for helping bring more attention to Encompass and the work that we do. The more people know about our work and our goals, the more I think we can make a difference—that is important to me, my family and everyone we work with.”
To learn more about Encompass, visit its website. To submit a nominee for this year’s YachtWorld Heroes, visit the YachtWorld Foundation website.
