Bob Krusewski

Bob Krusewski, senior vice president of Advest, has organized the fund-raising efforts for the trip for the past five years, seeking donations from his corporation, his fellow workers in the New London and Mystic offices, and some clients and friends.This year, New London Community Sailing program also contributed.

The first eight kids who signed up get to go.

"We focused on New London because New London is a city with lots of children who would not ordinarily have the opportunity to do this," he said.

For Krusewski, the reward is seeing the young sailors return to homeport after a week at sea.

"These students come back considerably different than when they left," said Krusewski, who volunteers at the Seaport, lives nearby and has spent time himself aboard the Brilliant."They learn how to cooperate.They learn how to use their ingenuity.They learn that there is right off the shores of New London, a whole new world for them."