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This is the 12th in a series of articles about the Davie Community Foundation and its work in the county.

It’s not just adults who are involved in philanthropy in the Davie community.
In 2005, the SURF Board (Students Understanding Real Futures) was formed. SURF’s mission is simple: to be philanthropists and help the youth of Davie County. They define philanthropy as giving of their time, talent and treasure to help the community.
SURF is youth-led, comprised of rising high school freshman through seniors who live in Davie. The board raises money and awards grants for youth-led projects. They learn about the needs of the community, the responsibilities that go with giving and hone leadership skills they can carry on into adulthood.
New board members are selected by the current board through an application and interview process in May and June. In the summer, the board attends a team building retreat to get to know each other.
In the fall, SURF plans the fundraiser that supports their grant making, the POPSICLE 5K. They are actively soliciting sponsors, fine tuning the logistics, and adding elements to make the event fun for the family. The POPSICLE 5K is known among runners for the terrific soups and grilled cheese sandwiches after the run.
The grant application process gets under way in January. Church youth groups, school clubs and organizations, and other groups who have projects serving youth may submit applications to request funding. In April, SURF makes decisions about the best use of the money and awards grants to successful applicants.
SURF has supported projects that directly impact children in need, from providing birthday gifts for children in the Davie Foster System, to gathering school supplies for high school students in need, to providing comfort bags for The Dragonfly House to give to children in crisis.
In 2021, SURF granted $4,030 for three projects. Davie High Hunger Fighters received $900 to provide Easter Baskets to students with their weekend food. Family Promise of Davie County was awarded $250 to purchase wish list items for families in their program.
The third project was inspired by the need to create an outdoor space for teens to safely socialize, study and relax. The board awarded $2,880 to teenagers wanting to install an Eno hammock lounge area at The Park at Lake Louise.
One student stated that there “really wasn’t anything for teenagers at the park.” The Eno hammock lounge gives them a special space with a beautiful view where they can be together.
Take advantage of the weather and visit the Eno hammock lounge at The Park at Lake Louise. It’s as easy as this: Turn into Colin Creek Golf Course. Park at the playground. Follow the walking trail to the sign that says Hole 12 and make a left. You’ll see the colored posts at the highest point overlooking the lake. String up your Eno hammock and enjoy. Take a book. Take a picnic. Take the time to enjoy this fun outdoor space.
The SURF Board is involved in many avenues of giving in the community. Last week, they participated as sponsors and cheerleaders for the Superhero Sprint and Main Street 5K in downtown Mocksville. Look for the SURF Board’s tennis shoe themed bed entry in the “Twas the Night Before Bed Race” in downtown Mocksville on Friday, Nov. 19 at 6 p.m. Mark your calendars for the annual POPSICLE 5K on Feb. 26, 2022.
SURF uses the net proceeds from the run to make grant awards to positively impact youth in their community.
To learn more about the foundation, contact Jane Simpson at (336) 753-6903 or jsimpson@daviefoundation.org or visit www.daviefoundation.org.