Indo Jax Surf Charities will host its first charity dinner, movie and concert featuring the full-length film documenting their trip to India, “My Name Uncle,” during a fundraiser next month to raise money for the crew’s sixth consecutive trip to visit the Homes of Hope Orphanage in Kochi, India.
Indo Jax Surf Charities is a Wrightsville Beach-based nonprofit that provides free surf camps to children with special needs, children who are considered at-risk and children who are medically fragile.
Jack Viorel, co-founder of Indo Jax Surf Charities, previously discussed the mission of Indo Jax, which has focused its international efforts on the girls at Homes of Hope.
“These girls have the most horrific stories you’ve ever heard,” Viorel said. “They’ve been pulled out of brothels. They’ve been found on street corners. They’ve had their eyes gouged out to be ‘better beggars.’ One girl was found in a trash can. So, when we meet them for the first time, they are completely lacking any self-worth or self-esteem. They won’t look us in the eye. Their heads are down. They’re very timid and shy. When we meet them, that’s when we get to work trying to build up their self-esteem and self-worth.
“We’re trying to build positive memories to replace their horrifying ones that they have. These girls have had the most horrific lives you can imagine. And we’re just trying to change that. Give them an outlook on life that’s positive. The idea behind it is that the ocean and learning to surf provide an experience that empowers and uplifts and builds self-esteem in those children.”
Read related story: Indo Jax Surf Charities: Empowering children through surfing across the globe
The March 7 fundraiser will feature two consecutive events. At 7 p.m., “My Name Uncle” will be screened with dinner and drinks. At 10 p.m., Groove Fettish takes the stage for a benefit concert. The fundraiser will be at King Neptune’s on Wrightsville Beach.
Dinner tickets are $40 and include two drink tickets, a long sleeve T-shirt, mug and entry to the benefit concert. Concert tickets will be sold following the showing of the documentary and will be $10. Raffle tickets ($10 each) will be sold inside the event for a paddle board valued at $1,300.
For more information, visit indojaxsurfschool.com or the group’s Facebook page.
