For North Carolina’s surf school charities, July is Helen Keller Foundation Month.
“We want to leave the world a better place,” said Keller Johnson-Thompson, announcing a three-year program supporting North Carolina surf camps for visually- and hearing-impaired children.
Johnson-Thompson is the great-grandniece of Helen Keller, who was born both deaf and blind, but left an inspirational legacy of achievement against insurmountable odds through her foundation’s advocacy mission. Johnson-Thomas serves as vice president of the foundation based in Tuscumbia, Ala.
“As water opened doors for Helen Keller, surf camps tap inner-joy and self-confidence, removing barriers for the future,” said Jack Viorel, president of North Carolina’s Indo Jax Surf Charities, one of the foundation’s beneficiaries.
Johnson-Thompson agreed. “We know surf camp will open doors and opportunities for these kids,” she said.
Wrightsville Beach and surrounding communities have a long history of reaching out to special needs kids and adults. Organizers of Indo Jax and Ocean Cure charity camps also participate in Surfers Healing for children with autism; Wounded Warriors surf camps; juvenile diabetes and cystic fibrosis camps.
Volunteers are needed for the following Indo Jax Surf Charities:
July 28-31 – Hearing Impaired Surf Camp
Aug. 11-14 – Boys and Girls Home of Waccamaw
Aug. 18 – Surfers Healing
Aug. 19-21 – Autism Surf Camp
Sept. 13 -Wounded Warriors Camp
Contact: Jack Viorel, phone 910-274-3565, email
[email protected]
Ocean Cure Charity Camps:
Aug. 4-7 – Wounded Warrior Project Surf Camp
Aug. 16 – Visually Impaired Camp
Aug. 18 – 21 – Autism Camp
Sept. 16 and Oct. 1 – Little Pink Houses of Hope
Contact: Kevin Murphy,
Ocean Cure Charity Camps, phone 910-431-0594
— Marimar McNaughton
