Join Hearty Roots and Glidden Point Oyster Farms for the 2nd annual Paddle for a Purpose charity event on Saturday, June 3, from 9:30 a.m. to 5:45 p.m.

Paddle the Damariscotta River, or join the after-party where music and purveyors of local fare will gather in support of Hearty Roots, a Lincoln County-based youth organization dedicated to getting local kids “off the grid and into their hearts” all year round.

Paddle for a Purpose gets nature-lovers of all ages out on the water with intention. All proceeds will benefit the mindful, adventurous work of Hearty Roots as they mentor youth to become good stewards of their mental health, and the land. "Our hope with this year's Paddle for a Purpose is to get Hearty Roots closer to their goal of a permanent home-base. We are so very fortunate to have an organization like this in our community so it is our utmost responsibility to support their work, amplify their voices...and have a little fun while doin' it!" says Allyson Blake, events manager at Glidden Point Oyster Farms.

Hearty Roots knows the precious partnership between mental wellness and physical adventure, and their outdoor programming guides local kids in their exploration of Maine’s wild places. Business sponsor Steve Malcom, founder and CEO of Knickerbocker Group, says of the event, “Supporting organizations that embrace Maine’s outdoors while assisting our youth are critical to building strong communities. By crafting an outdoor adventure program that promotes growth and resilience, Hearty Roots is making an indelible impact on our future generations. We value our partnership and look forward to supporting their causes in the years to come.”

Hearty Roots kids spend a lot of time on the water. In kayaks. Canoes. In the muddy spaces between land and waves. So, join them:

The Paddle: Starting at the Damariscotta Town Landing at noon, participants will paddle five miles down-river to Glidden Point Oyster Farms. Drop-off begins at 9:30 when coffee and pre-paddle snacks will be provided by Vagabond Coffee and Lucy’s Granola. If you need to rent a kayak for the event, Midcoast Kayak can have your gear dropped off at the starting point. Scheduled during an outgoing tide, paddlers are asked to consider their ability to get out onto the water. If the conditions don’t feel right, join in the after party.

The Party: Beginning at 2, Hearty Roots will welcome you to the post-paddle celebration where there will be paddle awards; short speeches; raffle; live music by Primo Cubano; pizza from River House, and fun for all.

Tickets: Tickets for the paddle and party are $100. Tickets for the party alone are $25. Kids can join for $15 per ticket. You don’t have to be a paddler to join Hearty Roots for an afternoon filled with music, food, joy, and a community-inspired auction.

Paddle for a Purpose organizers know that innovation is born of inspiration, a sentiment best captured by Bill Joyce, paddler without a paddle and owner of Carson Douglas Landscape Architecture: “Last year's event was a test for us. And, oh my, did it pass. The energy that was generated by combining a group of cheerful locals sharing time on the water, with the Hearty Roots message of ‘Getting off the Grid and into your Hearts’ was something that could be felt deeply. I can't wait to be part of this fantastic circus of warmth, compassion, and charity to dig those Hearty Roots deeper in this community.”

For more information on the event, Hearty Roots year-round programming, summer offerings for youth, or sponsoring a child’s hearty adventure through scholarship, visit heartyroots.org. Hearty Roots and Glidden Point Oysters can’t wait to join you on the water, paddling for a purpose.