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Aloha Friend!
Winter has officially ended and I hope that you are enjoying warmer weather! Here in Hawaii the weather doesn't change much. It warms up about 5-10 degrees, we get a little less rain, and the surf shifts from the North shore to the South shore. Hopefully though, for the majority of our friends, spring means getting outside, getting active, and enjoying warmer surf!
I want to personally thank each of you that donated to FOB this past year. Our Help Inspire 2011 campaign was a success and we were able to reach many of our goals. Without your support and prayers this would not have been possible.
For 2012 we are working on reaching out to even more people. We hope to encourage others and also create more awareness for Friends of Bethany through different projects and programs. For our encouragement packages, we were able to add more resources and we are currently working on designing new brochures and booklets for amputees. One other goal we have is to see FOB grow internally through the hiring of more staff or a full-time director. There is so much work to be done and so many people who need encouragement! We are able to accomplish these goals through different fundraising projects. If you have any ideas or exciting ways to fundraise please share them with us! You can write on our Facebook wall or leave a post on our webslte. We welcome all of your input!
Last, but not least, if you know of an amputee or shark attack victim that needs encouragement, please contact us. We would love to reach out to them and support them as they endure the road ahead.
Aloha,
Cody Abrell
Executive Director
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Friends of Bethany Golf Tournament
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On Saturday September 8, 2012, Shawn Paulson, former Professional ASP surfer, will be hosting a golf tournament at the Sah-Hah-Lee Golf Course to benefit the Friends of Bethany Hamilton Foundation (FOB). The event begins at 9:00 AM. The Sah-Hah-Lee Golf Course is located at 17104 S.E. 130th Avenue, Clackamas, Oregon 97015.
Friends of Bethany is a non-profit organization dedicated to sharing the hope and love of Jesus Christ worldwide by supporting and inspiring people through the life stories of Bethany Hamilton and others.
The primary goals of FOB are to support SHARK ATTACK SURVIVORS and AMPUTEES, worldwide; and present INSPIRING LIFE STORIES through movies, projects, and activities.
FOB sends “Encouragement Packets” to recent or struggling amputees and shark attack survivors (while in the hospital, or as soon as possible), with helpful information and useful connections (such as information on prosthetic companies). Including a personal note for encouragement, along with Bethany Hamilton’s book Soul Surfer and/or DVD Heart of a Soul Surfer for inspiration.
Shawn Paulson is partnering with FOB to show support and help raise funds and awareness for the foundation. Shawn is a friend of the Hamilton Family and has experience as an event director raising funds for many different charities.
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Turtle Bay Film Night hosts Heart of a Soul Surfer
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On Sunday March 4th, Turtle Bay Resort on the North Shore of Oahu, hosted a film night featuring Heart of a Soul Surfer. Bethany was able to attend and share her  story with the viewers, along with film producers, Becky and Noah Hamilton. The event was a great outreach for Friends of Bethany as well. The Hamiltons were able to share the goals and outreach that FOB does to help encourage amputees and shark attack victims. The foundation was also able to sell items at the film night with all proceeds benefiting FOB. It was a great night for all in attendance! |
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Paul DeGelder, a shark attack victim and double amputee (arm & leg), from Australia was attacked in 2009 during a routine Navy diving exercise.
Bethany and her dad, Tom, met up with Paul in Manly, Australia earlier this year. Tom & Bethany were able to catch up with Paul on his way to the Wounded Warrior Games, while she was there for a pro surf competition in Manly. He has written a book "No Time for Fear," which Tom says he read in four days. Bethany mentioned she enjoyed it too (though she skipped the details & photos of his attack). Tom says Paul is a "very fit guy" has an "extremely confident attitude, and is fun to be around."
Paul returned to the water to surf in 2010. "I love being in the water. I wasn't going to let the shark attack keep me out of the water," said Mr De Gelder, who recently returned from New York where he and other shark attack victims lobbied the United Nations to curtail fishing practices that threaten sharks with extinction.
He's now back to work as a Navy diver & instructor and has become a top motivational speaker and mentor to schoolkids across Australia.
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WE NEED YOUR HELP to finish these projects and get the packages sent out to the
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Friends of Bethany Hamilton is 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to sharing the hope and love of Jesus Christ worldwide by supporting and inspiring people through the life stories of Bethany Hamilton and others.
Friends of Bethany Foundation
PO Box 223663, Princeville, Hawaii 96722
phone 808-634-7191, fax 815-550-2156
fobhfoundation@gmail.com, www.friendsofbethany.com
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