Every year for the past 17 years, the Blatt Family has hosted an annual camping trip. At
first it was just a few couples and newlyweds, but over the years the “Beach and Surf
Classic” has grown to include over 30 families with all of their children. This is a
summer-time tradition that all the kids have grown to love, and McKenna was no
exception. All year long, both my girls would look forward to the long weekend of surf,
sand, snipe hunts, smores and tree swings. The Blattʼs have done a wonderful job of
creating memories that will last a lifetime.

Last year, the Beach and Surf fell just a few weeks after losing McKenna. I did not want
to go because I thought the memories would be too painful. At the last minute, I
relented because it meant so much to Jordan to be there. You see, although some of
us only see each other this one time a year, this diverse group of families has, in a way,
become Ohana (Hawaiian for family). We have watched our children grow up together,
supported each other in good times and bad. Last year was no exception. Our Beach
and Surf Family embraced us with open arms, cried with us, laughed with us, and
shared their memories of McKenna with us. They also held a bike auction and donated
the proceeds from the camp out (which usually go to support the Surfrider Foundation)
to brain cancer research before McKenna Claire Foundation was even a reality.

This year, the families of Beach and Surf held McKenna in their hearts once again. Not
only did they donate the proceeds from the camp out, but also held a 50/50 raffle. A
special thank you goes to the Kollar family, who proceeded to donate their winnings
back to the foundation. All in all, the Beach and Surf Classic raised $1050 for the
McKenna Claire Foundation.

The Wetzel family thanks each and every one of you. You are a wonderful example of
what we mean when we talk of “building communities” in our mission statement and we
are so fortunate to be able to call you Ohana.