Surfers raise money and awareness for CMAF
OCEAN CITY – A sunny summer day, waves crashing on the beach, sand, surf, and great friends; what more could you ask if you’re a beach-goer?
For Lance Miller, president of the Chip Miller Amyloidosis Foundation, the chance to return to his childhood beach and welcome supporters of his late father’s namesake foundation was one he’d been waiting for for more than 700 days.
Following a successful 2019 and a cancelation in 2020 due to COVID, the CMAF and Miller returned to Ocean City in full force this month for a record-breaking Surf Fest, Taste of OC and Slide for Amyloid.
Surf Fest started early, 7 a.m. to be exact, and this year saw support from BayCats, 7th Street Surf Shop, Heritage Surf & Sport, and Surfers Supplies. Over 200 contestants participated; the most ever for the nearly 20-year-old event. With an all-new, real-time scoring system in place, participants could watch the scores and results come in, yielding dozens of awards spanning multiple categories.
At the conclusion of Surf Fest, the focus and fun shifted to the O.C. Water Park for an evening of fun and even more camaraderie. Park time provided a two-part venture; the chance to access the water park and all that offers, while also enjoying some of the best foods that O.C. has become known for. The Slide for Amyloid and Taste of O.C. saw their largest turnouts ever with more than 500 participants. Everyone in attendance had a place, sampled some amazing food and some even went home with amazing raffle prizes like iPads, Apple watches, a drone, surf boards, fishing rod, and more.
“The turnout for these events this year was nothing short of impressive,” noted Miller. “Turnouts for all three events were by far the largest we’ve ever had. That support means a lot to the foundation and to Ocean City itself,” continued Miller. “The waves were great, the weather was perfect, and I saw tons of smiles. I imagine my dad was also smiling as he looked down on so many coming together to support the foundation and raise awareness and money for Amyloidosis.”
Up next for the CMAF, a pair of fund-raising opportunities as part of the famed Corvettes at Carlisle car show, Aug. 26-28 at the Carlisle, Pa., Fairgrounds. During the event, there’s a special foundation dinner taking place on Friday, Aug. 27, while the CMAF partners with the Lancaster County Corvette Club to raffle off a brand-new C8 Corvette. Proceeds from both, after costs, benefit the CMAF.
Learn more about the foundation at www.ChipMiller.org or via the CMAF Facebook page, www.facebook.com/AmyloidosisAwareness. Can’t make an event? Donate today via the CMAF web page. Either way, join in the fun and support a great cause along the way.