So if you've found this blog, it hopefully means you've received a letter with lots of love from me in the mail.
The purpose of this blog is to keep all of you up to date on the amazing adventure that I know this next year will be.
Also, here is a link to the Surfing The Nations Website.
I stole this directly from their site to give a little more insight as to what the organization is about, and the awesome things they're doing.
SURFERS GIVING BACK
We are Surfing The Nations, a non-profit, humanitarian organization based in Wahiawa, Hawaii, who live by the motto of “Surfers Giving Back.”
Our desire is to see lives changed inside and outside of our organization. We are a community made up of people who believe in using their talents and passions – from surfing and beyond – to give back and bring the message of love and hope.
HAWAII
We have several projects running throughout the year locally. We are one of the largest food distributors for the Hawaii FoodBank, with our Feeding The Hungry program that caters to Hawaii´s needy, disabled, homeless, and working poor.
Our after-school kids’ program offers tutoring, mentorship, and performing arts lessons to the at-risk youth in our neighborhood. STN runs a surf club on the Waianae coast in which at-risk youth from nearby shelters are taught surf and swim and are mentored one-on-one with leadership skills.
Individuals from all over the world come to participate in two challenging and life changing programs: Internship is a three-month program in which young people can experience a lifestyle of giving back and learn how to be others-focused. Our Surfers Leadership School (SLS) is designed to equip individuals to become selfless and effective leaders as they are integrated as full time staff members.
INTERNATIONAL
We believe surfers have a unique call on their lives: to GO! To get out of their comfort zones and use their thirst for adventure to bring them to the places of the world that are in need. We aim to transform surfing from a self-seeking sport to a common ground on which friendships all over the world can be built.
We work with international communities in various countries in Asia and the Middle East to bring immediate relief by providing humanitarian supplies such as food and clothing, but beyond that, Surfing the Nations sees surf clubs as a powerful way to enhance communities.
We aim to empower local surfers to establish and sustain surf clubs. The surf club is created to be a place where surfers are leaders and caretakers of their community; where anyone can experience a sustainable culture of “aloha” in their part of the world and continue to help one another thrive.
So once again, thank you all. For everything.
And because I love quotes so much, here are a few to encourage you to take the jump and follow your dreams.
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and then go and do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive."
-Unknown
"We lose ourselves in the things we love. We find ourselves there too."
And my last bit of advice: If you haven't seen Big Fish, watch it. And then, if you're bold enough, be willing to live a life out of the ordinary. Everyday.
Much love.
Casey Marissa
