Photos by Mark Costa
Every summer on the Jersey Shore, the Best Day Foundation hosts about a half dozen special events for some very deserving kids. Children with autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome and other special needs are paired with two beach buddies from local high schools who help them have their “best day” surfing, boogie boarding and anything else they want to do at the beach, all while staying safe. If the weather is good, they may spend up to 2 1⁄2 hours in the water, followed by an awards ceremony where they receive a medal and high fives for their accomplishments and a lunch provided by Surf Taco.
Pictured here is the Asbury Park event which took place June 29 and 30. The next New Jersey event is July 27 and 28 at Brick III Beach, Seneca Dunes, when each day 45 children will partake in tandem surfing, body-boarding, stand up paddling (SUP), kayaking, beach obstacle courses and beach games. Best Day Foundation hosts events in California, Florida, New Jersey and Maryland. Volunteers and sponsors are invited to visit bestdayfoundation.org for more information.
