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Outerbanks Out of Reach
The
ESA Georgia chapter is working with the parent organization,
Eastern Surfing Association (ESA), in raising funds
for the people devastated by Hurricane Isabel's extensive
damage to the coastal regions of North Carolina, especially
the surfing areas of Hatteras Island, the town of Buxton,
and the outlying areas surrounding the coastal North
Carolina Highway 12.
Led through the efforts of our Georgia ESA Directors,
Jeff and Tara Mosely, as well as members of our local
Georgia ESA chapter (and lest we not forget all the
friends thereof), we have already raised a total of
US$1,641.00, including an incredibly generous contribution
by one of our main sponsors (the CRAB SHACK) for a total
so far of US$1,000.00. But we still need your help and
are seeking more contributions for those in need. All
donations will be forwarded immediately to approved
agencies on Hatteras Island for disbursement to those
families most in need. Donations should be made payable
to:
ESA Outer Banks Relief Fund
Please help us help those in need by sending your contributions
to:
P. O. Box 2793
Tybee Island, Georgia 31328
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ESA Board Says "Easterns Stay On
The Outer Banks" & Establish 'ESA Outer Banks Relief
Fund'
Ocean City, MD (9/24/03)
While the impact of Hurricane Isabel's wrath on the Outer
Banks of North Carolina has left everyone involved with the
Eastern Surfing Association's 2003 Eastern Surfing Championships
in a quandary, the ESA's District Directors held an unprecedented
conference call on Friday, September 19th to discuss the fate
of the 36th Easterns and lay the groundwork for establishing
the ESA Outer Banks Relief Fund. This crowning event was scheduled
to run this week in the devastated town of Buxton - home of
the Easterns for nearly 36 years.
During
the September 19th conference call, the Board was informed
of the damage extent to Buxton, Frisco and Hatteras Village.
ESA contacts throughout the Outer Banks provided reports that
were in much greater detail than any national news coverage
and, unfortunately, more grave. The Board immediately realized
the 36th Easterns would not take place in Buxton this week
as scheduled and immediately moved their conversation to rallying
to help the fragile communities of Hatteras Island. While
this conference call has left the fate of the 2003 Easterns
undecided until more information is gathered for the possibility
of rescheduling the event, a unanimous decision was made to
establish the ESA Outer Banks Relief Fund.
"The
Easterns, which crowns our East Coast Champions, is very important
to our members," explained ESA Executive Director Kathy
Phillips, "however, over the years, our membership has
also become very attached to the community and people of Buxton,
NC. Our hearts go out to them." In the 1990's alone,
millions of tourism dollars were lost due to previous hurricane
threats, evacuations and ravagings. Each year during the slower,
fall tourism shoulder season, this small community looks forward
to the Easterns and the over one-million dollar boost to their
local economy spent by our 2000 competitors, staff, spectators
and media attendees. "This community has always been
there for the ESA," continued Phillips. "Now it
is our turn to be there for them."
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