Helping Hand is a weekly feature on HPR1 stations every Friday afternoon at 5:30pm and then online at here in a growing online database of resources. Each week, Helping Hand puts the spotlight on an organization or event that offers assistance to the disabled and other folks among the most vulnerable in the community. This week HPR All Things Considered Host Dave Lawrence speaks with a remarkable organization dedicated to getting the disabled back into the ocean, Access Surf. We’re honored to have one of the heroes from Access Surf in the studio with us, Executive Director Cara Short.
According to their website, accessurf.org, Access Surf empowers people with disabilities by providing adaptive surfing instruction and therapeutic educational programs on water recreation. At no charge, they offer monthly beach gatherings for the general disabled population and their loved ones, and also for wounded warriors and their loved ones. Utilizing talented volunteers that include doctors, nurses, therapists, life guards, firemen and women and countless others, they tap their combined talents to provide transfer from wheelchairs or other mobility aids to their custom equipment, and then take these participants on a variety of ocean-themed adventures, customized to their needs and desires, and accompanying them every step of the way.
Access Surf will be hosting their annual fundraiser this Saturday in the parking lot beside Hawaiian South Shore, 320 Ward Street, Honolulu, from 4 to 8pm. All proceeds raised from this event support the non-profit’s programs. the event features live music from local artist Mike Love, food-trucks, a beer garden and silent auction with $10 tickets available to get in at the event.
Contact Access Surf:
Website: accessurf.org
Phone: 808-236-4200
Email: info@accessurf.org
Find all the Helping Hand segments here.
This video says it all:
https://vimeo.com/88112388">A Day with AccesSurf from https://vimeo.com/user24907669">Cara Troy on Vimeo.
