Jimmy Miller Memorial Foundation – From overseas battlefield to homefront
Photos by Ken Pagliaro (KenParliaro.com)
Last fall, the Jimmy Miller Memorial Foundation (JMMF) began surf therapy sessions for frontline health workers overwhelmed by the pandemic war.
JMMF CEO Andy Dellenbach compared the health workers’ stress to the post traumatic stress disorder experienced by the Wounded Warrior Battalion Marines that JMMF works with at Camp Pendleton.
Dellenbach cited the work with health workers as an example of the foundation’s growth from a small group of family, and friends dealing with Jimmy Miller’s tragic death in 2004 to spawning a network of over 100 Ocean/Surf Therapy programs world-wide.
Dellenbach spoke Saturday night at the JMMF BeneFiesta, a sold out celebratory fundraiser at Ron and Stacy Harrison’s Hermosa Beach home. The evening’s proceeds will help fund this year’s 60 ocean therapy sessions for active-duty Marines at Camp Pendleton, at-risk and abused kids from Los Angeles, and adults in addiction recovery programs, as well as frontline health workers.
“We want as many people as our resources allow to experience the healing powers of the ocean and surfing,” Dellebach told the BeneFiesta guests. For more information about the Jimmy Miller Memorial Foundation visit JimmyMillerFoundation.org. ER