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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FREEDOM IS NOT FREE FUNDRAISER A SUCCESS

 

San Diego, CA, August 12, 2009 - Surf Diva raised nearly $2,000 at their retail therapy fundraiser for Freedom Is Not Free (FINF) this past Sunday.  “It was a terrific event, and we’re so glad to be a part of it to raise funds for such a great organization, says Izzy Tihanyi, founder & co-owner of Surf Diva.  Shoppers came to wine & dine on hors d’oeuvres catered by Pacific Coast Grill, and made purchases at Surf Diva’s La Jolla boutique where 20% of the evenings’ proceeds went to FINF.  A silent auction was also held, where prizes included Surf Diva gift baskets and a gorgeous 5’10” camo board hand shaped by Tim Bessell.

 

Amongst the shoppers were supermodel, Carolyn Murphy, celebrity casting director, Jennifer Starr, and retired NFL Chargers offensive guard, Aaron Taylor.  Local La Jolla socialites in attendance included Shelby Stanger, Yassi Mesbahzadeh, India Kern, and Viridianna Henley.  “It’s so wonderful to see our community come together to support this event.  Not just locally, but also friends and families from all over the country,” comments Coco Tihanyi, co-owner of Surf Diva.

 

The fundraiser kickstarted the Little Warriors Surf Camp, organized by Jay Kopelman, executive director of FINF, to take place at La Jolla Shores Beach with Surf Diva’s La Jolla Surf Camp.  The camp serves as a fun & challenging outlet for children of the fallen/wounded service members. “It’s the commitment and involvement of people like Izzy and Coco and all their staff at Surf Diva that helps to make the Little Warriors Surf Camp not only a possibility, but also a success,” says Jay Kopelman, Director of Freedom Is Not Free.  “The VIP Retail Therapy event is in keeping with the spirit of giving back that’s so prevalent in the surf community.  It’s clearly a testament to the importance of our work that so many people, including supermodels and professional football stars, came out to support us at this great event.”

 

Additionally, at the conclusion of the camp, each child will receive his or her own INT surfboard so that they can continue to live the surfing lifestyle – one that encompasses sport, spirituality, physical fitness and emotional well-being.

 

Freedom Is Not Free, a California based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, is proud to serve the brave men and women of the military and their families. Since its establishment in 2005, FREEDOM IS NOT FREE has raised funds to serve, support, and increase awareness with the aim of easing our heroes' and their families' burdens. We have assisted with travel expenses for families of fallen heroes; purchased "burn-beds" for road side bomb victims; helped to refurbish the Wounded Warrior Barracks at Camp Pendleton, CA; arranged the venue and accommodations for a surviving spouse conference; allocated funds for the purchase of equipment to convert conventional clothing into burn victim "tear-aways"; provided logistical assistance and funding for the renovation of a brain trauma center on Camp Pendleton; and provided funds for living expenses for recovering warriors and their families facing extreme financial hardship. The name of the organization, FREEDOM IS NOT FREE, gives expression to the founder’s sentiment that the brave men and women serving in the military, and their families, were shouldering the price – and all too often the ultimate price – for the freedoms that we ALL enjoy.

 

Surf Diva, which runs La Jolla Surf Camp and Australian Surf Academy, as well as Surf Diva Surf School – both in La Jolla and in Costa Rica – is San Diego’s number one surf camp for children. Since 1999, La Jolla Surf Camp has been teaching boys and girls how to surf in a safe and fun environment. Surf Diva was founded by Isabelle “Izzy” Tihanyi in 1996. She and her twin sister, Caroline “Coco”, have built the world’s most successful surf school for women and expanded that original concept to include instruction to men and children. Izzy understands the importance of this camp and what it means to give back. She and Coco – and all the staff at La Jolla Surf Camp – recognize the sacrifice of those who serve and recognize the additional strain placed on their families, especially the children. “This camp is a fantastic opportunity for these kids to get stoked on surfing. Jay (Kopelman), FINF Executive Director, has done an amazing job organizing everything.”

 

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