This one's for Andrew! The Big Andrew Foundation was established in the spring of 2008 in memory of our beloved friend, 15-year-old Andrew Gmelch Jr.
51 Spruce Street
York, ME
03909
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The Big Andrew Foundation was established in the spring of 2008 in memory of our beloved friend, 15-year-old Andrew Gmelch Jr. of Haverhill, Massachusetts who passed away on December 5th, 2007 after a year and a half battle with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Andrew was an avid surfer, skateboarder, snowboarder, as well as loving brother and devoted son. Always known as the one who could put a smile on anyone's face no matter what the situation, Andrew was an individual who lived with a character that is unforgettable. Even at the height of his illness, his optimism and good heartedness remained at the core of his being. The effort Andrew expressed in activities ranging from extreme sports to his school studies, provides us with an extraordinary example of how living with passion means to live without regrets and fears. His quick wit and sense of humor also taught those of us who knew him how to live with a little humility, and to take life as it comes. The Big Andrew Foundation, being inspired by an individual who was dedicated to his family, friends, as well as living life to the fullest, takes the same initiative towards the fight against cancer. We understand that cancer is not simply a disease that affects only those who have it, but also a phenomenon which leaves a lasting, and sometimes destructive impact upon their friends and families as well. Our mission is to provide a strong network of fundraising, information, and support through organizing events which allow businesses, communities, families, and individuals to come together in support of one cause: defeating cancer. The Big Andrew Community is a collective of waterman, survivors, volunteers and families that all rally around the common passion we have for helping those in need and being close to the ocean. Every year we see more and more individuals participate in our events, whether as a spectator, contestant or volunteer. We see young surfers develop and come back year after year, vowing they will be this year's winner. We see families touched by the assistance we provide and individuals who are giving everything they have to be cancer free, sending us letters of grace, thanking us for all of our hard work. The event is truly unique in that we have individuals participate from New York to Maine and everywhere in between, all from different backgrounds and environments. On this one day, we all come together to acknowledge the struggle and give our hearts to the cause. We do this through our love for surfing and paddling and also our admiration of the world's most wondrous feature, our beloved ocean. This innate drive we have to spend time at the source of life, while raising awareness and providing assistance to those who need the inspiration most, make for a day that can only be described as incredible. For those that are involved we thank you and for those interested we would love for you to come join us. We look forward to continuing our efforts and keeping the spirit of youth alive! If you have any questions or concerns regarding The Big Andrew Foundation, please do not hesitate to contact us at: Ian Knowles [email protected] (203) 610-3116 Mahalo, The Big Andrew Foundation
