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Stokes Me 30-Day Fundraising Challenge Launches Today

Surfers Helping Humans to Raise Funds for 10 Humanitarian Causes

Posted 10/1/2012

Stokes Me 30-Day Fundraising Challenge Launches Today Surfers Helping Humans to Raise Funds for 10 Humanitarian Causes

ALISO VIEJO, Calif. (October 1, 2012) — The Stokes Me Challenge is on, starting today. Put on by the SIMA Humanitarian Fund, Stokes Me is a 30-day digital fundraising contest that will conclude on October 30, at midnight PST. Surf brands, retailers, partners and any surfer anywhere will compete to see who can raise the most money for 10 surf-related humanitarian organizations, and in turn win some cool prizes. The overall goal of the Stokes Me Challenge is $220,000 and surfers from around the globe are being called to unite to raise money and do what stokes them by living out the campaign’s motto: Surfers Helping Humans.

“The Stokes Me Challenge will take place all online and it is super easy to get involved,” said Ross Garrett, SIMA Humanitarian Fund President and Vice President at Surfline. “You have three choices on how you can get involved in Stokes Me. You can become a fundraiser for your favorite surf brand, retailer or partner team; start your own team; ormake a one-time donation. All options lead to prizes and we are stoked that this year we will be sending the top fundraiser on a trip for two to Hawaii for the Triple Crown, including VIP treatment to Surfer Poll.”

It’s easy as 1-2-3 to get involved with Stokes Me and win prizes. Here’s how:

1 - Create Your Own Fundraising Page

Rally your friends and family to make donations to your personal fundraising page and be in the running to win cool prizes.

Fundraising Page Prizes: The top fundraiser will win a trip for two to the Triple Crown of Surfing on the North Shore as well as two tickets to the Surfer Poll Awards. The top 50 fundraisers will receive the following prizes according to their final ranking: Skullcandy headphones, Vans custom shoes, custom Hurley Phantom Create boardshorts, and recognition in Surfer Magazine and on Surfline.com! For a more detailed list, visit stokesME.org.

2 - Support a Surf Brand, Retailer or Partner Team

Want to help a surf brand, retailer or partner team win the SIMA Humanitarian Award at this year’s SIMA Image Awards in February 2013? Set up your fundraising page or make a one-time donation under their team name. You can search for your favorite team by visiting stokesME.org. The money still goes straight to the cause and helps put your favorite team in the lead. You’ll also receive great prizes while doing it!

3 – Make a One-time Donation

Alldonors receive exclusive Stokes Me gear depending on the different giving value.

One-Time Donation Prizes: For donations of $10 or more you will receive a Stokes Me sticker. For donations of $40 or more you will receive a Stokes Me hat and sticker. For donations of $75 or more you will receive a Stokes Me t-shirt, hat and sticker.

"As much as surfing has become a global cultural phenomenon influencing tens of millions, surfers are still a tribe that organically connect with one another, so the concept of 'Surfers Helping Humans' resonates loudly," says Doug Palladini, SIMA President and Vans' Vice President of Marketing. "The Stokes Me Challenge supporting the SIMA Humanitarian Fund is a simple, powerful way to augment that connection all surfers have and grows SIMA's ability to meet our ongoing obligation to give back, one of our most important mandates. If you are a surfer or even just a fan of surf culture, Stokes Me deserves to be a part of who you are."

For more information on how to get involved with the Stokes Me Challenge visit www.stokesME.org.

TheStokes Me campaign is the official fundraising event for the SIMA Humanitarian Fund. Since 2004, the SIMA Humanitarian Fund has donated more than $1.58 million to surf-related, non-profit humanitarian organizations. All proceeds from this year’s efforts will benefit 10 surf-related humanitarian non-profit organizations selected by the SIMA Humanitarian Fund Board of Directors for focusing on improving the quality of life, health and/or welfare of people. The 2012 Stokes Me beneficiaries include Best Day Foundation, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Jimmy Miller Foundation, Keep A Breast, Life Rolls On, Outdoor Outreach, Stoked Mentoring, SurfAid International, Surfers Healing and Waves for Water.

About SIMA
The Surf Industry Manufacturers Association (SIMA) is the official working trade association of more than 300 surf industry suppliers. Founded in 1989, SIMA is a non-profit organization that serves to promote awareness of the surf industry and participation in the sport of surfing through public relations efforts and a variety of services, educational programs and research. In addition, SIMA actively supports oceanic environmental efforts through its 501(c)(3) charitable environmental foundation, the SIMA Environmental Fund. In the past 23 years, SIMA's Environmental Fund has raised more than $6.2 million for environmental groups seeking to protect the world's oceans, beaches and waves. The SIMA Humanitarian Fund, also a 501(c)(3) charitable foundation, was established in 2006 to award grants to various surf or boardsport related social and humanitarian non-profit organizations whose efforts are focused on improving the quality of life, health and/or welfare of people.

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