StokesMe 2015 Comes to a Close

Posted 10/07/2015

LAGUNA NIGUEL, Calif. (October 7, 2015) – StokesMe, the SIMA Humanitarian Fund’s 30-day fundraising campaign which came to a close at the end of September, raised key funds for 15 surf-related humanitarian organizations. Throughout the month multiple initiatives took place allowing surf industry brands, retailers, consumers and athletes to join forces towards achieving the campaign’s $100,000 goal.

In addition, this year the Volunteer Corps, a listing of volunteer jobs to be done, was launched and resulted in two major volunteer initiatives taking place in September. To date, surf industry brands have pledged over 800 hours per year in humanitarian volunteerism, and opportunities for volunteerism will be taking place throughout the year.

Twelve separate retailers representing 57 retail doors participated in the initiative by asking customers to add a dollar to their purchases in order to donate to the SIMA Humanitarian Fund beneficiaries. Hansen’s, Huntington Surf & Sport, Jack’s Surfboards, Maui Nix, Rip Curl Surf Centers, South Coast Surf Shop, Spyder Surf, Sun Diego, Surfside Sports, Surf Ride, The Curl and WRV were among the key participating retailers.

Another factor in this year’s StokesMe success was the 2nd annual StokesMe Bowl-A-Rama held on September 15th. This industry bowling night brought nearly 200 people from brands, retailers, athletes and beneficiaries together bowling head-to-head for the title of 2015 StokesMe Bowl-A-Rama Champions.

Additionally, seven key industry brands participated as Circle of Stoke sponsors. Electric, Hurley, Liquid Tribe, Rip Curl, Stance, Surfline and Vans pledged $5,000 and also committed to 100 hours of volunteer time.

“For 2015, our guiding principle was to ‘Do The Most Good’. So in addition to raising money for the 15 beneficiary organizations, we are connecting them with talented volunteers through the Volunteer Corps,” notes SIMA Humanitarian Fund President and StokesMe Chairman, Ross Garrett. “We are proud to bring this new a resource to life and encourage the talented people in the surf industry to take advantage of it throughout the year.”

Funds from this year’s campaign will benefit 15 surf-related humanitarian organizations selected by the SIMA Humanitarian Fund Board of Directors for their dedication to improving the quality of life, health, and/or welfare of people.

About StokesMe
StokesMe September is the official fundraising effort for the SIMA Humanitarian Fund. This year, StokesMe supports 15 surf-related humanitarian organizations dedicated to improving the life, health, and/or welfare of people. The 2015 SIMA Humanitarian Fund beneficiaries are: AccesSurf, Best Day Foundation, Boys to Men, Boarding for Breast Cancer, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Jimmy Miller Memorial Foundation, John Wayne Cancer Foundation, Life Rolls On, Mauli OlaFoundation, Outdoor Outreach, STOKED, SurfAid, Surfers Healing, Valpo Surf Project and Waves for Water.

About SIMA
The Surf Industry Manufacturers Association (SIMA) is the official working trade association of more than 300 surf industry suppliers. Founded in 1989, SIMA is a non-profit organization that serves to promote awareness of the surf industry and participation in the sport of surfing through public relations efforts and a variety of services, educational programs and research. In addition, SIMAactively supports oceanic environmental efforts through its 501(c)(3) charitable environmental foundation, the SIMA Environmental Fund. In the past 25 years, SIMA’s Environmental Fund has raised more than $7 million for environmental groups seeking to protect the world’s oceans, beaches and waves. The SIMA Humanitarian Fund, also a 501(c)(3) charitable foundation, was established in to award grants to various surf or boardsport related social and humanitarian non-profit organizations whose efforts are focused on improving the quality of life, health and/or welfare of people. Since 2004 the SIMA Humanitarian Fund has raised and donated more than $1.7 million to surf-related non-profit organizations. For more information regarding SIMA, please visit www.sima.com.