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Surfgimp Foundation Winter Bash raises $40,000

In four years, organization has granted $190,000 to individuals with disabilities
Surfgimp Foundation hosted its third Winter Bash March 10 at the Rusty Rudder. Greeting folks at the entrance are (l-r) Melanie Liesener, Chandi Keller, Dina Land, Suzannah Frederick, Jack Frederick, Jeff Land and Melissa Land. CHRIS FLOOD PHOTOS
Chris Flood
March 17, 2022

Story Location:
Rusty Rudder
113 Dickinson Avenue
Dewey Beach, DE 19971
United States

A couple hundred people came out to support the Surfgimp Foundation at its third Winter Bash held March 10 at the Rusty Rudder in Dewey Beach. Approximately $40,000 was raised.

The foundation was established in 2017 in memory of Milton resident, quadriplegic and Surfgimp Jay Liesener. Its mission is to support, through financial grants, individuals with disabilities who require assistance to participate in desired physical activities. The foundation has granted approximately $190,000 to individuals locally, nationally and internationally.

Last year’s event was canceled, and this year’s had been postponed from January, but the foundation continues to look forward. A date has already been scheduled for next year’s bash – Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023. For more information on Surfgimp Foundation or to make a donation, go to surfgimpfoundation.org.

Louis and Yolande Raath look over some of the silent auction items at the Winter Bash.
Surfgimp Foundation volunteer Chris Polizzi holds up one of the live auction items sold at the bash. This one is a photo by Lewes artist Susan McLean.
Helping at the merchandise counter are (l-r) Tim Luciano, Chase Lane, Meallan Hammond, Morgan Lane, Travis Luciano, Kayla Hammond and Aribethzy Castillo-Zamudio.
Surfgimp Foundation volunteer Steve Huber educates attendees on the foundation’s origin story.
Volunteer Jeff Land shows off a guitar autographed by Bruce Springsteen during the live auction.
Just the Tip rocked the Rudder’s stage for nearly three hours.
Melanie Leisener, Jay’s wife and foundation volunteer, gives the volunteer of the year award to Robin Binkley. She was accepting the honor on behalf of her son Jacob, who raised $6,000 for the foundation this past year by running the Rehoboth Seashore Half Marathon.
A number of local businesses contributed items for the silent auction, including this fat-tire cruiser from Milton’s 302 Bicycles.

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Chris Flood has been working for the Cape Gazette since early 2014. He currently covers Rehoboth Beach and Henlopen Acres, but has also covered Dewey Beach and the state government. He covers environmental stories, business stories and random stories on subjects he finds interesting, and he also writes a column called Choppin’ Wood that runs every other week. He’s a graduate of the University of Maine and the Landing School of Boat Building & Design.

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