Silver Paddle Group Raises Money for Tactile Communication and Neurorehabilitation Laboratory

The Silver Paddles Group set off on their journey across the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) on Saturday, July 30, 2016.  The founder and local resident, Andy Elkins, was attempting to be the first person to paddle board from Crane Lake, MN, to Grand Portage, MN.  The group traveled 200 miles across 41+ lakes and did 10.13 miles of portages on the trip.
This was a 14-day fundraising trip to raise awareness for the Tactile Communication and Neurorehabilitation Laboratory (TCNL), located at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.  They are a research center for development solutions for sensory and motor disorders.  
This journey is a personal one. Andy participated in a study at TCNL for balance problems after a traumatic brain injury 13 years ago.  Andy now uses paddle boarding as part of his balance therapy.  The Silver Paddles crew includes Andy Elkins, Ethan Elkins, Christopher Baird, Kalyn Baird, Thad Herman and Lance Emmerton.
A silent auction will be held on Saturday, September 3, 2016, from 5:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m., on the Swiss Church lawn during the Tell evening program, to benefit TCNL. We have items like a cedar strip canoe, Bending Branches paddles, Smith polarized sunglasses, Black + Decker crock pot, Insect Shield clothing, etc.
So far the group has raised over $1,500.