Switchfoot's 7th Annual Bro-Am is set to take place on Saturday, June 18th, at Moonlight Beach in Encinitas, CA. The surf contest/beach concert is the centerpiece in a weekend full of activities conceived by Switchfoot to give back to their local community and benefit the San Diego and Oceanside chapters of StandUp For Kids (www.standupforkids.org), a national nonprofit volunteer outreach organization dedicated to making a difference in the lives of at-risk, homeless and street kids. The line-up for the concert will be announced soon.
Since its inception in 2005, the Bro-Am has raised more than $400,000 for San Diego-based children's charities. Last year's event was the most successful to date, drawing over 7,500 attendees and raising more than $135,000 for the local chapters of StandUp For Kids. While admission to the beach event is free, funds will be raised at an Auction Night Soiree (set for June 16 at a private residence), sponsorships, beach vendors and an after-party held on the evening of June 18th at the Belly Up Tavern in nearby Solana Beach (tickets on sale next week).
"The Bro-Am has been my favorite day of the year ever since we started it back in '05," says Switchfoot's Jon Foreman. "To see our hometown come together to help out a deserving group of kids is an incredible experience. The StandUp Kids are true survivors, unsung heroes who have endured so much. The Bro-Am is our chance to celebrate their journey: a day at the beach with friends, surfing, and a little rock and roll. Last year was our biggest year ever, and we hope to top it again this year."
David Bakelman, CEO, StandUp For Kids, notes, "StandUp For Kids is again proud to be chosen as the recipient of the proceeds from this year's Bro-Am. Jon, Tim, Chad, Jerome and Drew show the true commitment of impacting homeless youth in Southern California. They have shown a tireless effort to help homeless youth, one at a time, and are an inspiration to our volunteers and homeless youth."