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In Memory of Ed Cavanaugh, the Project Director of Get Out and Learn, a project of Tides
In Memory of Ed Cavanaugh, the Project Director of Get Out and Learn, a project of Tides
On Tuesday morning, August 11th 2015, Ed Cavanaugh’s family stated on Facebook that Ed’s body had been found after his disappearance following a motor biking trip on the Rock Creek trail system in the Eldorado National Forest. Ed was a loved wilderness and survival teacher at Downtown Continuation High School. Ed was also the Project Director of Get Out and Learn, a project with Tides since 1997. The Get Out and Learn program uses experiential, adventure-based learning to educationally engage youth who are at risk of dropping out of school. Through Get Out and Learn, students are more motivated to graduate from high school and pursue post-secondary education and/or meaningful work. Most importantly, they leave the program with greater self-esteem and a sense of personal responsibility that lasts a lifetime.
Ed’s great work and commitment has touched the lives of many in his network and community. As word of Ed’s disappearance spread, social media campaigns were created to help find Ed including trends, #FindEdToday and #BringEdHome. Family members, friends, colleagues, students and even strangers joined search-and-rescue teams from Yolo, El Dorado and Stanislaus counties by walking the area on foot or riding dirt bikes and quad runners. An online campaign was established to raise funds to aid the search picked up $68,908 from 666 generous donors.
There will be a memorial for Ed this Friday, August 14th at Moloney Funeral Home–132 Ronkonkoma Avenue, Lake Ronkonkoma, NY. The visiting hours are from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. The Mass will be held at 9:00 am at St. Josephs R.C. Church on Church St. Lake Ronkonkoma on Saturday, August 15th. The burial following at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Granny Rd. Coram, NY.
