TYBEE BEACHCOMBER | MAY 2018 7
By Allie Hayser
SURF LOVIN, CHARITIES, & NONPROFITS
Being a part of a local coastal community, we can all agree that
the ocean/surfing can seriously heal your soul, empty or sort out your
mind, and leave your body feeling worked and healthy. For surfers, this
is such a magical personal experience that we have to ourselves. But
what if it was more than that? What if these feelings, these movements,
these ideals, this passion, knowledge could be THE GAME CHANGER for
someone or somewhere else? Maybe you are one of us that truly feel
like the ocean or surfing saved your LIFE somewhere along the way.
You can start local: donate, fundraise, and learn how to reduce your
plastic waste at a manageable pace for your lifestyle, support the Tybee
Island Marine Science Center, and join a beach sweep (tidy up your
home break!). Here are some cool organizations that can allow you to
commit a little or a whole lot, buy your friend a gift that gives, listen to
a playlist that makes the ocean some moolah, or rep some swag that
keeps plastic out of fish bellies:
Surfrider Foundation
Mission: The Surfrider Foundation is dedicated to the protection
and enjoyment of the world’s oceans, waves and beaches through a
powerful activist network. Their directed programs ensure beaches are
accessible, work to keep our water clean, protect our ocean, preserve
our coasts and keep plastic from polluting our waterways.
Involvement: http://www.surfrider.org/volunteer Sign up to connect to
your local chapter and find out about upcoming events. The webpages
have some links to contact your elected officials about current
environmental issues. MARK that calendar: International Surf Day is
in June of every year, a day to share the stoke and love on our mama
ocean. This year it will be on June 16th, 2018.
SurfAid
Mission: To improve the health, well-being and self-reliance of people
living in isolated regions connected to us through surfing.
According to their history, SurfAid began in 2000 when a group of
surfers, whose hearts were broken by the needless suffering and
preventable death in the Mentawai Islands, pulled together their
resources, got with the Indonesian government, connected with leaders
of those local communities to help the islands battle malaria, water
contamination, sanitation, natural disasters, malnutrition, and mother
and child health issues. With their “hand up” not “hand out” philosophy,
the foundation aims to teach rather than tell, in order to instill selfreliance
and respect the cultures and customs of the communities.
Involvement: http://www.surfaid.org/getinvolved Be ambitious, start
a fundraiser with your wolf pack! Give a gift, have people donate to
the cause for your birthday, or shop on their website! A Spotify playlist,
called “Surfify” automatically raises money every time a song is played.
You can play it on your surf commute, while you catch your zzz’s, or
listen once and pass it along!
Surfers for Autism
Mission: The Surfers for Autism mission is to unlock the potential of
people with developmental delays, support advocacy for autism issues,
and scientific research. Their focus is to eliminate stigma through
public awareness and education and to unite communities through
volunteerism.
Involvement: Behold the best beach days of your life! Surfers for
Autism hold events on beaches all around the USA for children with
special needs. These events have two to four skilled surf instructors
for each kid to help them into waves and navigate surfing. There’s
paddle boarding, kayaking, beach cookouts, live music, games, and
community tents. Lunch is given free. These kids get a chance to work
in a different medium, a different world than they experience on land,
which may make the WORLD of a difference for them (and YOU)!
Surfers Healing
Mission: To enrich the lives of people living with autism by exposing
them to the unique experience of surfing.
Parents Israel and Danielle Paskowitz found surfing had a profound
impact on their son Isaiah, who lives with autism. In 1992, they created
Surfers Healing to expand the impact of surfing, with the weightlessness
and rhythms of the ocean offering a therapeutic experience for those
living with autism. They hold beautiful camps in the US on east and
west coasts, but also Mexico and Puerto Rico.
Involvement: www.surfershealing.org Volunteer for a surf camp event,
sponsor a child/family that needs it, or donations that will allow for
supplies! Pack the car, invite the surf family, load the boards, and hit
the road on your coast to get your hands in there!
One Hundred Miles
Mission: To preserve, protect, and enhance Georgia’s 100-mile coast
to envision a future where coastal Georgia has thriving communities,
protected landscapes, and secure wildlife. We have 378,000 acres of
salt marsh, 90 miles of beaches, and 1,655 narrow remnant maritime
forest beach hammocks along the coast of Georgia with a 6-10 foot
tide. We are so fortunate to be located in these areas where we are so
connected and immersed in the sea.
Involvement: First, stop by the Tybean to pick up a reusable bag that
supports 100 Miles (and maybe a cup of cold brew in an insulated
travel cup!). You can sign up for a membership, get into their workplace
payroll reduction program and ask your employer about their matching
gift program, attend a workshop, or snag some merchandise from their
website: http://www.onehundredmiles.org.
Others to check out: Waves For Water, Operation Amped, Surfers
Against Sewage, WildCoast, Save The Waves Coalition, Sustainable Surf,
Maui Ola Foundation, World Surfing Reserves, Waves For Development,
Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, the BYOB project from Tybee
Island, Ogeechee Riverkeeper, Tybee Island Sea Turtle Project.
Thanks for reaching into the surfin’ ocean-y nonprofit depths with me.
You alone can do BIG things and give back SO much to the community
and our oceans. Appreciate y’all!
/volunteer
/getinvolved
/www.surfershealing.org
/www.onehundredmiles.org