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Freedom Waters Foundation

Allowing veterans and individuals with special needs to be free

A Bit About Us & Our Mission

Enhancing the lives of children, individuals with special needs, and veterans by providing therapeutic boat experiences.

Our Guiding Principles

  • To provide marine-based social, and environmental programs through direct service and community partnerships
  • To offer opportunities that result in feelings of freedom, self-worth, accomplishment, and joy
  • To build a greater sense of community, understanding, and tolerance through sharing individual uniqueness
  • To work collaboratively with the boating public, marine industry, and philanthropic resources

Who We Are & What We Do

Sharing Freedom and Joy On and Off the Water.

What's in a Name

Freedom Waters Foundation

When selecting a name for the non-profit organization, Co-founder Debby Frenkel consulted a good friend who has paraplegia and is a top-notch sailor. She asked him what called him to the water. He said, “the freedom.” Thus, the name Freedom Waters Foundation -- which also incorporates an F for Frenkel and W for Weller, in honor of co-founder John Weller.

Who We Serve

Our Participants

Originally focused on children with cancer, Freedom Waters Foundation has expanded to serve children and adults with life threatening illnesses and disabilities, at-risk youth, and veterans.

Our History

Freedom Waters Foundation was founded in March 2006 by our current Executive Director, Debra Frenkel, a licensed clinical social worker, and yacht broker John Weller, who both still serve on our Board of Directors.

Debby has been involved with disabled sailing since 1999 and knew John through her previous employer. John is a six-time cancer survivor and fellow humanitarian who encouraged Debby to form her own non-profit organization.



We operate in Collier, Lee, Palm Beach and Broward counties of Florida, as well as hold special annual events in Georgia and Indiana.