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 They Will Surf Again: Bolsa Chica
They Will Surf Again (TWSA) 2009 kicked off with a huge splash on Sunday, May 3, at Bolsa Chica State Beach. With 152 volunteers assisting 23 surfers, it was definitely a great day at the beach! Sixty-eight volunteers were newbies to the program, as were 11 surfers, including six who had never surfed before and one very happy Nathan Gocke who surfed for the very first time since his injury.
Five local rehabilitation centers partnered with Life Rolls On to promote the event, including USC Physical Therapy Unit, Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center, Casa Colina, Know Barriers, UCI Reeve-Irvine Research Center and Kaiser-Permanente’s Spinal Surgery Unit. Volunteer Maya Hatch and UC Irvine are also supporting LRO’s efforts by capturing research data to measure the programs impact within the community. “Wow, is about all I can say about this last weekend,” said first-time surfer Mike Underwood. “It was a blast and I'm now completely hooked on surfing! It was a life-changing event.”
Donated surfboards from GSI were skillfully adapted by Jeff Glass and Rider Shack, while water volunteer Jeff Garcia brought Power106 on as the event’s media partner and secured awesome gift bags for each surfer, courtesy of Famous Stars and Straps. The generosity of the Huntington Beach Elks Lodge resulted in brand new equipment, including a “chill zone” platform, rash guards, EZ Up and wind flags. They even hosted an after-party for surfers and volunteers to relax after a long day at the beach!
 Rudy’s Pub and Grill provided breakfast burritos for volunteers and The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf provided a much-needed caffeine jolt for everyone at the 6 AM set up! ABC7 and Fuel-TV, among others, covered the event, including footage of Buddy the Surf Dog catching waves with first-time surfer Angelica Castro.
Hundreds participated and even more watched, as surfers courageously entered the water and rode waves with exhilarated smiles on their faces. It was a day for pushing possibilities and LRO sincerely thanks the teams of surfers, volunteers and sponsors who made it possible. What a way to kick off the summer!
> See all the photos from this amazing event!
Photos: Courtesy of Susan Uston Lifestyle Photography
 Save The Date! Night By The Ocean
Book your calendars for Sunday, October 4, 2009, as Life Rolls On Foundation will host its single-largest fundraising event of the year – Night By The Ocean – at the legendary Kodak Theatre Grand Ballroom. As one of the most anticipated charity events on the Southern California social calendar, this 500-person, black-tie affair has raised more than $1 million dollars to support quality of life programs for young people affected by spinal cord injury.
Now in its sixth year, celebrities, athletes and some of the most influential leaders in business, medicine, sports and entertainment will gather to celebrate an extraordinary night, as Life Rolls On brings the beauty of the beach to the heart of Hollywood.
Details are coming soon, including the announcement of two of television’s hottest stars as the evening’s honorary event chairpersons! Tickets and sponsorships are available now. Visit www.nightbytheocean.com for details.
 LRO Receives Summer Surprise Gifts
Life Rolls On extends a big “Thank You!” to Danny Kurtzman who raised $2,700 for Life Rolls On! Danny recently graduated from Loyola Marymount University and was kind enough to raise money through his graduation party. Danny will also be a surfer at our upcoming TWSA event at Zuma Beach on July 18!
LRO was also the recipient of a wonderful gift from the USA Network’s Burn Notice Forum, as they recently organized a Life Rolls On donation drive in the name of LRO supporter and Burn Notice star Jeffrey Donovan. In just a few short days, they rallied members to raise $1,500 for Life Rolls On, encouraged the USA Network to match their gift, and have introduced other USA Network television show message boards to our cause. Special thanks to Brenna Fender, Stephanie Sigafoos and Elizabeth Fassett for their leadership on this project! Don’t miss the season premiere of Burn Notice on June 4 on the USA Network!
> If you would like to learn more about how you can raise money for LRO please join Team LRO. Never forget that every effort counts!
LRO Welcomes New Advisory Member
Life Rolls On is delighted to announce the appointment of Jesse Faen to its Advisory Committee. Jesse, who serves as President of Insight USA, has been a great supporter of Life Rolls On’s mission and will provide excellent leadership and guidance to support the organization’s continued growth. “It is an honor to add Jesse Faen to the Advisory Board,” said LRO Chairman Josh Billauer. “Jesse has already made an immediate and positive impact in our efforts. He brings tremendous talent and knowledge in both business development and the action sports industry, which are so important during this exciting time of LRO’s development.”
Faen is currently chairing the Talent and Honoree Committee for Night by the Ocean, where he will help solidify talent and honorees for the gala event on October 4.
> More information can be found in Life Rolls On’s official media release.
| LRO Community News |
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 Jax Packs the Beach for TWSA!
Jacksonville Beach, Florida, Life Rolls On’s second stop on its 10 city tour for They Will Surf Again brought out 23 surfers, 134 volunteers and non-stop waves for a truly inspirational day. Nearly one-third of the surfers that joined LRO had never surfed or were getting back into the water for the first time since their injury. What an incredible gift our volunteers were able to give our surfers that day!
The courage of these surfers cannot go without mention. Those waves were big and relentless, but they were fearless, all asking for more! Special thanks to Alice Krauss and Brooks Rehabilitation Center for their partnership and support to help produce and promote the event. Check out amazing photographs by Rob Arrouet.
> Next up on the TWSA calendar is TWSA-Long Branch on Sunday, June 28. Register here.
 LRO Receives Gift from the Cox Kids Foundation
On May 18, Life Rolls On Foundation received a $1,000 grant from the Cox Kids Foundation. Life Rolls On received this gift as a result of Cox Communications employee and Cox Kids Foundation Board Member Maria Wells nominating Life Rolls On for a grant. “I requested LRO receive this grant when I saw the wonderful work you were doing for Patrick Ivison (a Life Rolls On Ambassador) and others like him,” Ms. Wells wrote in a recent email to Life Rolls On. “I’ve know Patrick and his mom Jennifer for 10 years now, and they’re two of the best people I know. I’m so happy we were able to donate to such a terrific program!”
The Cox Kids Foundation, a fund of the San Diego Foundation, is funded by employee payroll donations that are matched 100 percent by Cox Communications. Its board of 40 employee volunteers determines how to best support children and families in need in the areas of health, education and social services. Since 1999, the Cox Kids Foundation has raised more than $3 million.
Life Rolls On is thankful for this generous gift by The Cox Kids Foundation. As a non-profit organization, LRO is reliant upon the generosity of others to sustain and grow its programs and services for the SCI community.
> To learn if your company has a charitable fund or matching gift program, please consult your Human Resources office or check this database.
 LRO Founder Featured in Highwater
Life Rolls On was proud to show its support for LRO founder Jesse Billauer as he was featured in the new surfing documentary by “Step Into Liquid” producers Dana Brown and Rich Wilson. The much-anticipated film, “Highwater,” focuses on the spectacle of the North Shore during the Van's Triple Crown of Surfing. LRO was honored to be a featured charity at the film’s premiere on May 22, at the historic Santa Monica Pier.
 AYP News
Life Rolls On Foundation’s Active Young Professionals (AYP) have been busy this summer! AYP-Los Angeles/Orange County chapter hosted its first mixer at Spit Studio in Hermosa Beach, CA on May 1. Welcoming a great crowd of young professionals from an array of industries, this event was a resounding success. Vitamin Water provided beverages, while guests also enjoyed relaxing massages courtesy of Equinox Fitness Clubs and perused the fine artwork of Bo Bridges. One lucky winner also took home two roundtrip tickets, courtesy of Virgin America. To learn more about AYP-LA/OC, including future events, visit their Facebook page.
AYP-San Diego will also be out in full force at the 5th Annual Switchfoot Bro-Am on Saturday, June 27 in Encinitas, CA. AYP-San Diego will have a booth at this special event to promote Life Rolls On and introduce new people to AYP’s work with LRO, including volunteer recruitment for TWSA-La Jolla later this year. More information about AYP-San Diego, here.
 LRO Ambassador News
LRO Ambassadors are continuing to shift the face of disability in the community and demonstrate the possibilities beyond spinal cord injury. The public will soon see LRO Ambassador Tara Llanes promoting the popular infomercial product, The Perfect Pushup, as the company recently named this world-class athlete as its newest spokesperson.
Though he was featured on television just a couple months ago on the Today show, LRO Ambassador Patrick Ivison is still making headlines; this time appearing in print for an article in Surfline,  which focused on how spinal cord injury was not keeping the 14-year-old from pursuing his love of surfing. Ivison’s recent accomplishments include a fourth place finish in the Challenged Athletes Division at the Western Surfing Association (WSA) West Coast Championships, where fellow LRO Ambassador Christiaan Bailey was crowned the overall winner at the May 10 competition. Up next for Ivison will be the 2nd Annual “Help Patrick Walk” Texas Hold ‘Em Poker Tournament on June 28, 2009. Proceeds from this fundraiser will underwrite Ivison’s participation at Project Walk Spinal Cord Injury Recovery Center, which is not covered by insurance. Download PDF with full details.
 LRO Ambassador Briana Walker has also begun her latest adventure, as she has begun training for a climb atop Mount Kilimanjaro. Introduced to climb organizer, C.H.E.K. Institute, through Life Rolls On, Briana will embark on the “Fit4Kili” Climb in January 2010. Walker will make this amazing journey with the help of an expert climbing team, talented fitness professionals and the support of her brother, Richard. To sponsor Briana’s adventure, visit www.fit4kili.com.
LRO thanks Vanessa Bonifacio and Allie Hernandez, along with the photographers and individuals, who generously contributed to the completion of this newsletter.
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Mind-Controlled Wheelchair
