Throwdown Surf Classic Raises Funds for Two Local Families
On September 28, 2019, families, friends, competitors, and volunteers gathered in Southern Shores for the 11th Annual Throwdown Surf Classic. The 2019 event was the largest in its history with 173 competitors, and 37 heats for 15 different divisions.
The organizers, volunteers and sponsors raised $31,000 in total, $15,000 each for Sonny Albarty and family and Ian Simmons and family and $1,000 for the Outer Banks Relief Foundation. Sonny, age 17, suffers from pulmonary hypertension and recently had a double lung transplant. Ian Simmons suffered a brain trauma from a fall earlier this summer. Both families face large financial challenges.
The Outer Banks Relief Foundation has been assisting people who live and work on the Outer Banks who are burdened with financial difficulties due to a debilitating disease, illness, or other tragedy since 2005. The foundation has distributed over $1.8 million in financial assistance to 938 local families.
The Relief Foundation’s Patty McKenna (2nd from right) accepts a check for $31,000
from Throwdown Organizer’s Joe McGraw, Greg & Cara Sherman, and Amy Robinson.
