New York Surf Film Festival

George C Fund opens the Charity Surfboard Auction with generous donation

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 25 September, 2009 : - - New York -- New York Surf Film Festival presented by JetBlue Airways and The Dominican Republic is pleased to announce the opening of the 2009 Charity Surfboard Auction with a gracious donation from the George C Fund.

This year’s festival is auctioning off four surfboards with 100% of proceeds split between Surfaid International, Surfrider NYC, Surfer’s Healing and Waves for Development. Surfboards have been donated by Faktion, Nature Shapes, Gray Ghost, and Josh Hall Surfboards.

"The George C. Fund is dedicated to making a contribution to the surf community's charitable programs in honor of George, and is enthusiastic at this opportunity to support  them.  George Chatzapoulous volunteered his time for the 2008 New York Surf Film Festival and we feel this is a great way to honor his passion while supporting our mission, " says Nick Vouloumanos , President, George C Fund.

The Auction will be open for the duration of the festival weekend.  Those wishing to place a bid on one of the auction’s surfboards can come to Tribeca Cinemas  in person or email morgan@nysurffilm.com with their pledge.

ABOUT THE CHARITIES:

The mission of SurfAid International, a non-profit humanitarian organization, is to improve the health, wellbeing and self-reliance of people living in isolated regions connected to us through surfing. surfaidinternational.org

WAVES for Development is an affiliation of not-for-profit organizations dedicated to making the world a better place through surfing. Working in coastal communities, WAVES helps communities connect surfing and sustainable development through Educational Surf Programs for local youth and Adventure Voluntourism for visitors. wavesfordevelopment.org

The Surfrider Foundation is a non-profit environmental organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the world's oceans, waves and beaches for all people, through conservation, activism, research and education. The NYC Chapter was formed in the 1990s by Robert Bailey and has been fighting for beach access, clean water, and an improved coastal environment ever since. surfrider.org

Surfers Healing seeks to enrich the lives of children with autism and the lives of their families by exposing them to the unique experience of surfing. surfershealing.org

ABOUT the GEORGE C FUND: George C. Chatzopoulos was a man whose passion for life, sense of adventure, and fearless attitude was tangible, and could positively affect others and their outlook. He was doing just that when he lost his life surfing El Salvador's K-59 on March 14, 2009.  Although we lost George that day, the memory of his pure heart, his infectious laugh, and his courageous soul will never be forgotten.

In that spirit, the George C. Chatzopoulos Fund was created to transform this tragic loss through charity to others in George's honor.  We are keeping George's passion for adventure alive by giving back to what inspired George; surfing, ecology, education and children in need.

Our goal is to support a diverse range of causes including child services, education, the environment, individuals or families in need and communities as a whole. These are very broad aims by design. As a new charity we are open to working with any groups we feel are making a positive impact on those they aim to help.

We hope to contribute to these causes not only monetarily, but also by volunteering and donating our time. We want to get to know and create a bond with the people we are helping and not simply pass along a check.   For More Information on the George C Fund georgecfund.org please contact Nick Vouloumanos nvoulou@yahoo.com 646. 306. 6387

The New York Surf Film Festival kicks off today and goes through Sunday September 27th, 2009.  To purchase tickets, view the full program, film synopsis and trailers please visit: nysurffilm.com.

About the 2009 NYSFF Sponsors: NYSFF welcomes back our Presenting Sponsors, JetBlue Airways & The Dominican Republic.

New York-based JetBlue Airways has created a new airline category based on value, service and style. In 2009, the carrier ranked "Highest in Customer Satisfaction Among Low-Cost Carriers in North America" by J.D. Power and Associates, a customer satisfaction recognition received for the fifth year in a row. Known for its sincere, personal service and free TV as much as its low fares, JetBlue is now pleased to offer customers Lots of Legroom and super-spacious Even More Legroom seats.

JetBlue introduced complimentary in-flight e-mail and instant messaging services on aircraft "BetaBlue," a first among U.S. domestic airlines. JetBlue is also America's first and only airline to offer its own Customer Bill of Rights, with meaningful and specific compensation for customers inconvenienced by service disruptions within JetBlue's control. Visit jetblue.com/promise for details. JetBlue currently serves 56 cities with 650 daily flights. New service to Baltimore begins on September 9.

The airline also intends to commence service to Barbados (October 1); Saint Lucia (October 26); and Kingston, Jamaica (October 30). With JetBlue, all seats are assigned, all travel is ticketless, all fares are one-way, and an overnight stay is never required. For information or reservations call 1-800-JET-BLUE (1-800-538-2583), TTY/TDD 1-800-336-5530 or visit jetblue.com

The Dominican Republic’s first tourist was Christopher Columbus in 1492. Rich in history, the DR has developed into a diverse destination offering both Dominican and European flavors to more than one million U.S. visitors each year. Named #1 Golf Destination in Caribbean & Latin America by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators, the DR boasts 25 designer golf courses, upscale resorts, pristine nature, and sophisticated cities and quaint villages filled with warm Dominican people. 

The DR features the best beaches, fascinating history and culture, and is a chosen escape for celebrities, couples and families alike. Visit the Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism’s official Website at: GoDominicanRepublic.com or call 1(888) 374-6361 for more information.

NYSFF is proud to announce our 2009 media partner, Surfing Magazine. NYSFF welcomes the support from our Mates of the Festival: Hive Surf, Wild Rock Wine, Pabst Blue Ribbon, OKOTO, ETON’s, NewYorkSurf.com, Sundown Ski & Surf Shop, STAB Magazine, SurfersVillage, Surfer’s Path, Transworld Surf, The Surfer’s Journal, DukeStorm.com, KIND bars, VitaCoco, Nature Shapes, Faktion, Unsound, Mollusk Surf Shop, Kayrock ScreenPrinting.

NYSFF is proud to support Surfaid International, The Surfrider Foundation, Waves for Development and Surfer’s Healing.

New York Surf Film Festival: The New York Surf Film Festival is the premier showcase for international independent and established surf films. The mission of the New York Surf Film Festival is to provide filmmakers who are exploring the diversity of surfing an opportunity to present their work to a larger audience. As surf culture becomes more popular, the notion of what it means to be a surfer expands. The New York Surf Film Festival's aim is to build upon and shape the idea of what a surf movie is, while fostering the growth of this global community in NYC. The New York Surf Film Festival is a Don't Drop In Production, founded by Adam Cannizzaro, Tyler Breuer, Michael Machemer, and Morgan Rae Berk in 2008..
 

www.nysurffilm.com

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