Surfers Healing camps need support
Surfers Healing camps need support
Jim Margiotta, president of J. Margiotta Co. in New York, is a produce man and, in his spare time, a surfer. He didn't plan to be a fund-raiser, but he has found himself in that role as he seeks help from the produce industry in his quest to help autistic children.
Through his passion for surfing, Mr. Margiotta became friends with professional surfing duo, Israel and Danielle Paskowitz of Hawaii, whose son Isaiah was diagnosed with autism at the age of three. Like many autistic children, he suffered from sensory overload, and the ocean was one place where he seemed to find respite.
The couple discovered that Isaiah was soothed while riding on the front of one of their surfboards. Mr. and Mrs. Paskowitz wanted to share this therapy and started Surfers Healing, a free surf camp for children with autism. In recent years, Mr. Margiotta became involved and has organized such camps.
On Sept. 8, Mr. Margiotta conducted a Surfers Healing camp near his Long Island home in Long Beach, NY. On Sept. 10, he had a second Surfers Healing event in Long Branch, NJ.
On Sept. 11, he told The Produce News that the professional surfers who donate their time to this cause were moving on to North Carolina, where they would host another camp Sept. 13 at Wrightsville Beach.
The recent Long Island and New Jersey camps each attracted 150 autistic children, up from seven on Mr. Margiotta's first try five years ago. The camps received a huge boost via publicity on HBO's "Real Sports" and from a half- hour segment that ESPN ran on Israel Paskowitz.
"I'm trying to figure out how to get produce people behind it," Mr. Margiotta said. "This is a not-for-profit organization. They can donate anything they want, or buy t-shirts or memorabilia from the web site [surfershealing.org]." Donations are tax-deductible.
There are camps held in Mexico, Hawaii and Virginia Beach, VA, in addition to the locations mentioned above. The events could not be held without professional surfers donating their time. Funds are needed to help offset travel costs, as well as to pay for food and drinks provided to the kids and their families. Beach permits, insurance and administration are other expenses for the camps.
Mr. Margiotta said that the host towns and individuals contribute to the camps, but they are in need of sponsors.
Through his passion for surfing, Mr. Margiotta became friends with professional surfing duo, Israel and Danielle Paskowitz of Hawaii, whose son Isaiah was diagnosed with autism at the age of three. Like many autistic children, he suffered from sensory overload, and the ocean was one place where he seemed to find respite.
The couple discovered that Isaiah was soothed while riding on the front of one of their surfboards. Mr. and Mrs. Paskowitz wanted to share this therapy and started Surfers Healing, a free surf camp for children with autism. In recent years, Mr. Margiotta became involved and has organized such camps.
On Sept. 8, Mr. Margiotta conducted a Surfers Healing camp near his Long Island home in Long Beach, NY. On Sept. 10, he had a second Surfers Healing event in Long Branch, NJ.
On Sept. 11, he told The Produce News that the professional surfers who donate their time to this cause were moving on to North Carolina, where they would host another camp Sept. 13 at Wrightsville Beach.
The recent Long Island and New Jersey camps each attracted 150 autistic children, up from seven on Mr. Margiotta's first try five years ago. The camps received a huge boost via publicity on HBO's "Real Sports" and from a half- hour segment that ESPN ran on Israel Paskowitz.
"I'm trying to figure out how to get produce people behind it," Mr. Margiotta said. "This is a not-for-profit organization. They can donate anything they want, or buy t-shirts or memorabilia from the web site [surfershealing.org]." Donations are tax-deductible.
There are camps held in Mexico, Hawaii and Virginia Beach, VA, in addition to the locations mentioned above. The events could not be held without professional surfers donating their time. Funds are needed to help offset travel costs, as well as to pay for food and drinks provided to the kids and their families. Beach permits, insurance and administration are other expenses for the camps.
Mr. Margiotta said that the host towns and individuals contribute to the camps, but they are in need of sponsors.
