The Friends of the Schooner Lotus (FOTSL) were called together in 2018 by David and Rose Fox, and Tom and Martha Lightfoot.  These energetic members of the Sodus Historic organizations envisioned the LOTUS as a centerpiece for the local history, and educational tool for the public, and a valuable boat for the use by scouts, other organizations and the public to learn sailing and history.  The core group recruited other local and regional people in the sailing and scouting organizations with vested interests in accomplishing this goal.  After much agony, a sailing lawyer, passionate about the LOTUS, finally achieved the seemingly insurmountable and arrange the sale of the LOTUS to the FOTSL.  Now it is an incorporated entity in New York State under non-profit status, with the 501(c)(3) application to the IRS approved as a charitable organization.  Fully insured and ready to do business, the capital campaign is now under way!