Editor’s note: We finally reached Tony G. of Ocean Hut whose store is in one of the hardest hit areas of the Jershey shore. We also have a roundup of some other relief efforts taking place.
Because there are so many relief efforts underway, it is impossible for us to write individual stories about all of them. We will do regular roundups of how the industry is helping. We will also be checking back with shops that were impacted.
Please see our previous stories and press releases on other relief efforts by industry brands, retailers and non-profits, plus how shops fared, in our Sandy Relief archives.
Tony G. out of house and store for now
Tony Giordano “Tony G” of Ocean Hut in New Jersey was caught right in the eye of Hurricane Sandy when the storm hit. He called me this week to catch me up on what happened, and to tell me how supportive members of the surf industry have been to him and his family.
Despite losing three of his cars after the eye of the storm passed over, having his house completely flood, having to get rescued with his wife and son by the state police in a rescue boat, and having his shop completely looted the day after the storm passed, Tony was incredibly optimistic.
“First off I am very thankful for all the support I have gotten from the surf industry and all the people since the storm has happened,” he said. “I’ll take that energy to rebuild Ocean Hut as good as it has been and it will continue to be that landmark business that it has been for the last 37 years.”
“My family and I are safe. We are in the great hands of Kevin Casey, a surfer, and even though we are banged up, the building and sign still stand and we will rebuild Ocean Hut as fast as we can. We are hoping to get back into our home in one month. I still have seven insurance companies to deal with and have only been allowed back into my store for 60 minutes, but I am trying to stay as positive as possible.
“The surf industry has just been so helpful. Bob Hurley called me right as the storm was hitting to check on me, my Oakley rep drove down with a generator recently and I have had multiple calls from Bob Hurley, Bob McKnight, Paul Naude and Richard Woolcott.
The support from the surf industry has really given me the lift I need to carry on, and I am incredibly grateful to them.”
Lots of companies and stores are getting involved in relief efforts. Here is a roundup of some efforts underway.
Electric, Waves for Water, others, coordinate collections at surf shops
I also spoke with Bruce Beach at Electric who said he’s also been following the storm and has been worried about everyone there.
“These guys are like family; they are not just business partners,” said Bruce, citing many of the shop owners from the East Coast that were hit hard by Sandy.
Bruce said Electric has partnered with photographer Jason Murray, Waves for Water, Surfers Environmental Alliance and various surf shops in Southern California in a relief supply initiative specifically for the surf community to channel their support and efforts.
The drive involves several well-known surf shops as collection centers, including Electric HQ in San Clemente, as well as HSS, Becker, California Surf Museum, Killer Dana, Surf Ride, Surfside, LSS, Hansen’s, Catalyst and more. All are ready for donations, and Bruce said they have been overwhelmed by the immense support so far.
Electric HQ will act as the central hub and staging area for all items collected. Once Electric has gathered a sufficient amount of relief goods, a freight truck will be arranged to transport the items to East Coast relief teams and families.
If you are an individual or business who would like to contribute, or would like to follow the progress and learn more about the relief effort, please visit this specific fundraising page wavesforwater.org.
Contact: Jack Rose Jack@wavesforwater.org P.O. Box 57285 Sherman Oaks, CA 91413
See Page 2 for details about Hurley’s relief T-shirt collection, other relief efforts
Hurley creates relief T-shirt collection
Hurley is also partnering with Waves for Water on relief efforts. Here is a release they sent about a collection of T-shirts.
COSTA MESA, CA – November 13, 2012 – Hurley announced today a collection of T-shirts aimed at raising funds for the Waves for Water Hurricane Sandy Relief Initiative.
The initiative, spearheaded by Waves For Water founder Jon Rose, began mere days after the storm struck and will continue indefinitely. “This is a long-term effort and it’s important we stay on it well after global attention turns elsewhere,” said Rose. “This tee collection will help keep a steady stream of resources flowing to so many people in need.”
A team of volunteers continues to focus on immediate survival needs of the storm victims — beginning with the distribution of supplies and the cleaning out of debris and rubble in coastal areas of New Jersey and New York. Eventually, the Waves for Water team will work to rebuild local shops and homes, specifically addressing the families and businesses of the destroyed surf communities.
The sale of the tees will contribute to the relief initiative through the Hurley H2O program, with 100 percent of the proceeds being donated to Waves for Water. They feature a series of iconic lineup images from Superstorm Sandy along with a special ode to New Jersey’s Casino Pier, which was destroyed in the hurricane. Photographers who graciously donated their art include DJ Struntz, Zak Bush and Nicola Lugo.
Tees are available NOW at hurley.com and at select surf shops. To find out more about Waves for Water and the Sandy initiative, visit wavesforwater.org.
Brave New World starts collection drive
I received an email update from Brave New World owner Bill Lammers last night about how things are going there. His stores survived the storm.
“We have done our own local Sandy Aid Relief drive by pitching a tent in our parking lot and accepting donations for food, water and other supplies and forwarding them to local churches and relief groups.
“I was just in touch with Dave Rosenberger from Quiksilver and they are sending us four pallets of new goods that we are going to both distribute at our store locations as well as act as a distribution center for Matt Kechle and our sales rep Jay to distribute to other local concerns.
“We have also been contacted by Volcom who has offered extended dating on current invoices along with possibly markdown on pending holiday orders. We plan on contacting our vendors and asking that they send what they can. We plan on having our staff converse with our customers to see if they have experienced any damage or hardship, and distribute our goods on a local level to people that we know are in need.”
Buccaneer Board Riders and Project Save Our Surf team up
Buccaneer Board Riders (BBR) Surfwear is working with Project Save Our Surf to do our part in assisting those in need of help from the devastating Hurricane Sandy. We will be making our donations but we can’t do this alone! We need your help as well. BBR’s home base, The Pirate Ship located in Costa Mesa, is one of 5 drop off locations.
November 17th is the cut-off date for donations headed to New York. See below for what we need.
Come between business hours of 9am-5pm
Address to the Pirate Ship:
729 W 16th St.
Suite A1
Costa Mesa, CA
92627
For more info: https://grouprev.com/relief
On November 17, PSOS Vice President Karon Pardue and Ambassador Mary Osborne will be driving across the country to bring essential supplies to hurricane survivors in New York City. Once in New York, PSOS will partner with the NY Surfrider Foundation to distribute theses replenishments and provide support for rebuilding this devastated area.
Please consider contributing money, items or both money and items.
Please find below a list of needed supplies:
• Clothing (shirts, jackets, etc. and socks, socks, socks! any size adults and children, Shoes & Boots*
• Baby items (diapers*, bottles, strollers, etc.)
• Non-perishable foods
• Water
• School Supplies (notebooks, pens, pencils, etc.)
• Toiletries (toothpaste, shampoo, body wash, etc.)
• Pillows, Blankets, etc.*
• Towels*
• Pumps*
• Batteries* (especially D)
• Pet Food*
• Cleaning Supplies* (ex. gloves, soap, contractor bags, etc.)
• Shovels
• Generators*
