The look of awe and excitement that spreads across a child’s face as they discover bright packages under a glimmering tree on Christmas morning is truly unforgettable. This moment of pure joy is one of my favorite things about Christmas, and is a gift in and of itself.

 I was honored to do the Christmas shopping for two very special girls this holiday season. You may recall that we adopted the Roseman Family through the Cape Fear Community College Holiday Helpers program last month. The Roseman girls were the focus of WB Surf Camp’s fundraising efforts and together our team raised over $400 for their family.

A very wise Eleanor Roosevelt once stated that “Since you get more joy out of giving joy to others, you should put a good deal of thought into the happiness that you are able to give. “ I took this credo to heart as I shopped for the girls. Armed with the knowledge of their favorite colors and hobbies, I set out to find gifts that would surprise and delight them. As I fought my way through the crowds, searched the shelves, and wielded my shopping cart through narrow spaces, I kept their faces in my mind, imagining that moment when they would peek around the corner to see what Santa brought. I truly enjoyed every moment shopping for them and hope that they had a wonderful Christmas.

We look forward to giving back in new ways in this New Year and hope that you will spread the love and joy in your community as well!

- Emily

From holiday parties and eggnog, to cold nights in front of a roaring fire, December is such an incredible month. There is a special spark in the air, which crackles with the holiday spirit and reaches into your soul. In the WB Surf Camp tradition of giving back and sharing that spirit, we are again adopting a family through the Cape Fear Community College Holiday Helpers program. This is our third year adopting a family and this is such a wonderful way to give back to a community that has supported us for years.

This incredible initiative allows us to give a struggling family a Merry Christmas with gifts under the tree. The family we have partnered with aligns with WB Surf Camp’s mission of giving, because they give of themselves. Both the parents are students at CFCC, working towards degrees to help better their family’s position and to assist others in need. In fact, the mother is studying Social Work, and hopes to work on behalf of individuals with special needs or behavioral health issues. With a set of working parents both in school, raising two wonderful girls; we are thrilled to open our wallets and hearts to them.

Upon sharing this family’s story with our team, the donations started rolling in. One of our staff members is even donating her entire post-season bonus check to their cause! It is this type of selflessness that helps to remind us what the holiday season is really about and makes us feel so blessed to work with such wonderful people.

We are looking forward to providing this well-deserving family with a Christmas memory that they’ll never forget. The spirit of giving is truly infectious and we hope that our example inspires you to action in your own community. Let’s all remember that it’s not what you get, but what you give that really counts!

-Emily

Being a surfer is full of responsibility – to ourselves, to our fellow surfers, to our community, and to our coasts. Part of WB Surf Camp’s mission is to foster a sense of accomplishment through community giving – therefore, when we see organizations with similar goals, we endeavor to support them. That’s why you’ll find us at Blue Water Grill this Thursday for the Making Magic at the Beach benefit.

This fundraiser is supporting the Kids Making It (KMI) program in downtown Wilmington. Like WB Surf Camp, KMI challenges and inspires students, but they use a different type of board to achieve this goal. Founded in 1994, KMI builds character and an entrepreneurial spirit by immersing students in the world of wood-working and carpentry. This national award-winning program targets at-risk youths using their strengths-based approach, intense vocational counseling, and hands-on guidance.

Students start simply by building go-carts with hand tools, but eventually progress to constructing fine hand-crafted, one-of-a-kind items, which are sold in their shop – with all proceeds going to the student craftsman. Not only does KMI give back to the community by supporting our youth, the individual students themselves are involved in philanthropy projects by donating raised beds, trellises, flowerboxes, benches, and gates.

Please join us in our support of Kids Making It by coming out to Blue Water Grill for an auction, drinks, dinner and entertainment this Thursday (5/19) at 6:30pm for the fundraiser. We have gladly donated a week of Wrightsville Beach Surf Camp as an auction item, and there will be other amazing items, including a 9’2 George Robinson balsa single fin donated by Surf City Surf Shop! Check out the KMI website for more information about their current projects or to purchase tickets.