Hope Afloat was founded by Chad Friday and Helen Madosik, inspired by the life and memory of Chad’s late cousin Jake Reynolds and Helen’s late dear friend Norma Duran. Our mission is to provide safe, joyful, and accessible sunset sailing experiences for handicapped children, autistic children, and honored veterans. We believe everyone deserves the chance to experience the beauty and freedom of the ocean, creating moments of peace, connection, and wonder.

We are raising funds to purchase a handicap-accessible pontoon and retrofit it so that children, veterans, hospice, and families with special needs can enjoy the healing power of the sea. With your support, we will partner with local children’s hospitals, VFWs, and schools for children with special needs to offer free rides, sponsored rides and join local charities and programs to give people a chance to be on the water who might not otherwise have the opportunity. Donations will go directly toward purchasing the pontoon and making it accessible for everyone.

Hope Afloat is my heart and a lifelong dream since I was a teenager. My cousin Jake was handicapped in a wheelchair his whole life and sadly left us at 16 years old. Helen recently lost her dear friend Norma to cancer, and as a cancer survivor myself, I feel her passion is just as strong to get people in need out on the water for a change of pace, tranquility, peace, and memories for a lifetime with their loved ones. With Helen’s help as a nurse for over 20 years and my 20 years of captaining abilities, we are a perfect match to give special needs families healing, hope, and an experience they never thought was possible. Your support will help us bring peace, joy, and connection to those who need it most.

We will be based and sail out of New Smyrna! We will have options for intercoastal river crusies and a sand bar excursion supplied with an all-terrain wheel chair, large shaded beach tent with relaxing lounging chairs, and games for the whole family!

Currently developing a website!

The image above is an A.I. generated image of our vision and we also invision having room for 2 wheel chairs at a time! The vessel in the image is the vessel we are interested in purchasing for Hope Afloat!