Runners raise more than $14,000 for Surfgimp Foundation

Inspired by a high school student who raised funds by himself last year, more than a dozen runners garnered nearly $15,000 for the Surfgimp Foundation with their participation in the Rehoboth Beach Seashore Marathon and Half Marathon.

Salesianum High School senior Jacob Binkley ran the half-marathon last year and raised $6,000 for the foundation.

As a result of Binkley’s efforts, the foundation created the Surfgimp Foundation Charity Runner program. This year, 14 individuals participated in the Dec. 3 race, said Chris Polizzi, foundation volunteer.

Binkley ran the race again this year. Joining him were Adam Vanderslice, Francis Schoeffler, Jamie Schoenberger, Sally Dunlop, Gina Polizzi, Mark Hurm, Jen Shultz, Dawn Morton, Janet Siciliano, Sheryl Tristani, Stephen Dills, James Kennedy and Ian Sabia.

To entice runners, Polizzi said participants were given a special Surfgimp Foundation running shirt, had their race entry fee reimbursed, were given a Hero surfboard medal and were allowed to wait inside Grotto Pizza on Rehoboth Avenue an hour before the race. The plan is to offer the program next year to even more runners, he said.

The foundation’s next fundraiser is the fourth annual Winter Beach Bash from 6 to 11 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 14, at the Rusty Rudder in Dewey Beach. Tickets are $105 apiece and include food from Jimmy’s Grille Catering, an open bar for four hours, live music by Just the Tip, a live auction and a large silent auction. 

The Surfgimp 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.

For more information on Surfgimp Foundation, to make a donation or to purchase tickets to the Winter Beach Bash, go to surfgimpfoundation.org.