Goree Challenge III - World AIDS Day 2010

Departing from the National Sailing Hall of Fame in Annapolis, Maryland, Victor Mooney (44) of Forest Hills, New York will begin the maiden voyage of ocean rowboat Never Give Up in August. Victor will use this occasion to honor the late Vice Admiral Samuel L. Gravely Jr. Mooney will end his journey in New York City.

He was the first African-American to command a Navy ship and admiral. A new ship was recently christened USS Gravely in Pascagoula, Mississippi after him. This ship will be commissioned in North Carolina later this year. The Vice Admiral strongly believed in education plus motivation plus perseverance.

The Mission
After seven years of preparation, Victor Mooney will make his third attempt to row five-thousand miles from Cape Verde to New York's Brooklyn Bridge beginning this World AIDS Day - December 1. He hopes this row will increase AIDS prevention and encourage HIV/AIDS testing to care. Mooney has lost one brother to AIDS and has another battling the disease.

Our Educational Goals::

• Strengthen HIV/AIDS curriculum
• Make math, technology and science fun
• Share that anything is possible if you try
• Lower the high school drop out rate
• Promote reading for life

The budget for this project is $50,000. All funds raised over this amount will be donated to charity. Mooney has received support from WHO, UNAIDS, PEPFAR, CDC, NYC DOHMH and numerous national & local AIDS organizations.

Sponsorship Opportunities
(Sponsor form)

Media Enquiries
Lisa Samuels

Media Coverage
Caviness assist HIV/AIDS Awareness Effort
AIDS Activist Victor Mooney, NBC 4 – Washington, DC
ONAP meeting today includes a guest who never gives up
Queens Man Trying Again to Row Across the Atlantic
NYC oar bust for rower on third try
Transatlantic rower goes for third try
Md. visit for AIDS activist planning Atlantic row