Niagara rower to cross lake for El Salvador project
Scott Klassen challenging Lake Ontario in late summer
A Jordan Station athlete has found an innovative way to raise money for communities in need.
Scott Klassen, 24, plans to row across Lake Ontario to fundraise for homes in El Salvador.
On Nov. 4, Klassen will travel to Central America with a group from Bethany Community to build homes in partnership with Shelter Canada.
He said the non-profit organization sends a team from Canada, but also creates jobs in El Salvador by employing local people to translate, drive and help build. The cost of each house is $3,400 and each group member is asked to raise funds for half a house.
But, Klassen said he hopes to raise more
than the $1,700 he needs.
“Anything helps,” he said. “Obviously I’d like to try and raise as much money as I possible can.”
This is the second time Klassen will be making the trip. He also travelled to El Salvador in 2017, but wants to go back.
“Going before, I’ve seen the difference that it makes,” he said.
About 40 per cent of the population of this Central American country live in poverty. The average annual income for those earning minimum wage in El Salvador is US$2,187 according to minimum-wage.org.
In addition to offering comfortable shelter for poor communities, Klassen said the houses help prevent diseases which are spread during the rainy season.
Combined, Klassen has five years of competitive rowing experience with Eden High School, St. Catharines Rowing Club and Brock University.
He said he stopped rowing in 2014 when he became busy with work, but recently started again with Niagara Rowing Club in Vineland.
“As soon I signed up for rowing in the harbour and I knew I was going back to El Salvador in November I was like, ‘This would be a great idea, to row across the lake to raise money,’” he said.
A friend will follow in a boat when he makes the row across the lake, but that hasn’t stopped everyone from being nervous.
“My oma and opa are a little worried,” Klassen said. “For the most part everyone’s been pretty supportive.”
He anticipates the row across Lake Ontario will take about fives hours and hopes to complete the trip over the Labour Day weekend, but is waiting for a calm day.
“It’s a skinny boat,” he said. “The waves will really affect it.”
Donations to can be made at www.sheltercanada.ca/donate under “Shelter - VT 1811-01A Bethany Comm. Church-Rose/ Eldon” with Klassen’s name in the comment section. Any donation of $50 or more will receive a charitable donation receipt from Shelter Canada.