What do a mobile coffee shop and the high school Mock Trial team have in common? They both received grants given out by the S.U.R.F. Board last year, which totaled $4750. 

The Board, a branch of the Davie Community Foundation, is made up of 24 high school students who have the primary goal of giving youth an opportunity to make a positive impact in Davie County. Each year, the Board does just that through the Popsicle 5K, raising money for the grant cycle in the spring. Whether you are an avid runner or a supporter of the community, promote youth philanthropy and register for the 5K on February 22nd by visiting bit.ly/Popsicle5k

“My favorite part about being on the S.U.R.F. Board is getting the chance to work with other teens who share a love for our community while also building valuable leadership, teamwork, and communication skills,” Carden Stroud, Davie High sophomore and board member, says. Stroud and the rest of the board start organizing the 5K early in the fall, splitting up into committees such as “marketing” or “food and fun.” However, one of the most important jobs of the board is to reach out to business owners to secure sponsorships for the 5K. It’s this reason that gives the board the opportunity to host an annual grant cycle that has given more than $100,000 in youth grants since 2005.

“The grants allow us to give back to the community and then see the impact,” Amber Lynde, the board’s Volunteer Committee Chair, says. “A great example of this is with Soaring Sips. We are able to see this grant in action at our high school and the positive impact on the Soaring Eagle students.”

This grant, written by S.U.R.F. Board and Davie High alumna Brooklyn Lakey, funded a mobile coffee station for the high school special education students as an opportunity for work experience and interaction with the local community. Another grant from last year was carried out by Mock Trial member Ellie Addison. The grant covered the expense of competition timers, travel costs, and competition entry fees, which helped the Mock Trial team at the high school learn teamwork, public speaking, and knowledge of the law. None of these grants would be possible without community involvement in the Popsicle 5K. 

Take the opportunity to register for the Popsicle 5K on February 22nd to support youth projects like these. Help the S.U.R.F. Board make an impact, one grant at a time.