Po’Boys to host crawfish boil for Surfgimp foundation

Riding the wave of momentum inspired by Surfgimp Jay Liesener, the foundation set up in his honor will make its first public appearance Sunday, June 3 at Po’Boys inaugural Crawfish Boil to benefit Team Surfgimp Charitable Foundation.

Michael Clampitt, owner of Milton-based Po’ Boys, said the restaurant has wanted to do a crawfish boil for a local benefit, and this was the perfect fit.

“Jay was a great customer and friend,” said Clampitt. “When we found out that he started the foundation we definitely wanted to do the boil to raise money.”

Created in November 2017, Team Surfgimp Charitable Foundation provides grants for people with disabilities who want to experience their dreams the way Liesener, a Milton resident and quadriplegic surfer, was able to experience his. After more than a decade of surfing in Delaware, Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and California, Liesener died in November at the age of 45.

In the months since its creation, the foundation has obtained 501(c)(3) status as a nonprofit and given away its first grant to a young woman for an all-terrain beach wheelchair that will help her get on the beach, plow through the snow and explore the woods.

Melanie Liesener, Jay’s wife and foundation board member, said it’s exciting to start the summer season with an event designed to gather friends and family in fellowship.

Melanie said for many years prior to Jay’s death, the Clampitts supported the team behind the scenes. The foundation is extremely appreciative of Po’Boys efforts to raise money for the cause, she said.

The boil’s all-you-can-eat menu consists of crawfish, shrimp, corn, potatoes, andouille sausage, cornbread, hotdogs, sweet tea, soda, water and Dogfish Head beer. Clampitt said all proceeds will go to the foundation.

Clampitt said there will be a silent auction with items from many local businesses, including a Fender Stratocaster donated by Frantic Frets Music & Antiques in Milton. Entertainment features music by Anthony V. Carmen of Electric Velvet and the Wilmington-based band Spokey Speaky, and face painting by The Fairy Paintbox.

For more information on the Team Surfgimp Charitable Foundation, or to donate, go to teamsurfgimpfoundation.org.

Liesener said the foundation’s grant application process is expected to be finalized soon, and when it is, the information will be available on its website and Facebook.

For more information on the crawfish boil and to purchase tickets, which are only being sold online, go to the Po’Boys Facebook page, facebook.com/poboys.

The event is scheduled from 3-7 p.m. in Cape Henlopen State Park. Tickets for the event are $44.28, ages 14 and up, and $17.89, ages 5-13. The cutoff day to purchase tickets is Monday, May 28.