Get Involved

Update: you can now fill-in your information online, add a digital signature (if you have one) and email the Volunteer Form without having to use paper. If you don’t have a digital signature, consider creating one to save paper and help our environment. If you don’t have one, you can still fill-in your information digitally but you’ll need to save and print the form, then sign it with a pen, and either scan/email or bring it to the JMMF event. Thank you for your interest in volunteering for JMMF! JMMF Volunteer Info Packet

You can support the Jimmy Miller Memorial Foundation in many different ways

WITH YOUR TIME:

Volunteer: We are always looking for volunteers to help with our ocean therapy days, fundraisers, events and expanding our missions and goals. For more information about volunteer opportunities read below, if you have any other questions please email us at

mark@jimmymillerfoundation.org

Volunteer Types
Whether you are a Beach Volunteer or a Water Volunteer, both are critical parts for the JMMF to run smoothly and are both vital roles to our success. We welcome you to our family with all of your skills and talents!

Beach Volunteer

Beach Volunteers are key to a successful ocean therapy session. Responsibilities can include everything from carrying equipment to helping set-up food/beverages for any given session. Some responsibilities of the Beach Volunteer include:

  • Beach Safety
  • Assist in sunscreen/wetsuits.
  • Assisting with our stretching sessions or yoga demonstration.
  • Help with snack and lunch prep, as well as setup and breakdown of equipment.
  • Applaud participants when a wave is ridden…they truly appreciate it!
  • Assist with “catching” participants as their board meets the sand.
  • Documenting comments or successes observed throughout the day.
  • Spending time with participants when they need to stop and take a break from surfing.
  • Both land and water photography.
  • Assist with building friendships and repoire with participants to aid in solidifying the effects of the day.
  • Engage in discussion sessions.
  • Help in any other way you see fit!

Water Volunteer

The water volunteer is a crucial part of our success. We strive to maintain at least a 1:1 ratio of participant to surf instructor. We find that with this ratio the participant’s success rate increases as well as their comfort level is elevated and they feel more secure. We also like for our Water Volunteers to have surfing knowledge or experience and some experience teaching. If you do not have teaching experience, we will gladly help you learn some of the amazing techniques Jimmy created over his 15 years of surf teaching experience.
Some responsibilities of the Water Volunteer include:

  • Helping in “on land” surf instruction
  • Assisting with board choice i.e. length to size ratio and wetsuit sizing.
  • Critiquing the “get up” technique i.e. assisting with stance, knees bent, feet wide, goofy or regular, etc.
  • Pushing participants into waves i.e. holding onto the board and letting go when the participant is stabilized.
  • Ensuring they do not pearl (nose dive)
  • Giving positive reinforcement and encouragement throughout the day.
  • Water and beach safety- your most important role!
  • Talking the participant through each aspect of being in the water i.e. “now we’re going to push up”, “hold on tight”, “this is a lull” or “Is it ok if I put my hand on your back?” etc.
  • Being aware of the participant’s various needs i.e. a child’s back ground or a Marine’s injuries.
  • Participating in discussion sessions i.e. sharing the participants’ successes in the water with the group in hopes of inspiring self-confidence.
  • Giving tons of High 5’s

TELL YOUR FRIENDS:

Email your friends and family and let them know about our mission and events.

WITH YOUR FINANCIAL SUPPORT

Donate Online: The Jimmy Miller Memorial Foundation is a California 501(c)3 non-profit organiztion. All of your donations will go to helping children in need to use the ocean as therapy and to help us support other organizations who protect the ocean and marine environment. All donations are tax deductible.

Please send all donations to the:

Jimmy Miller Memorial Foundation
524 14th Street
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266