Happy 250th Birthday, America! 🌊🇺🇸
This Independence Day, as our nation celebrates a monumental milestone, we want to express our deepest gratitude to the veterans, active military, and first responders who have sacrificed so much to protect our freedoms.
For many who have served, freedom takes on a profound new meaning out on the waves. Through our Ocean Therapy programs, we witness the true spirit of American resilience every day. Today, we celebrate the land of the free, the brave men and women who defend it, and the healing power of the ocean. Have a safe and happy 4th of July from the JMMF family!
Our Mission is to help as many people suffering from mental and physical illness as our resources will allow.
The Jimmy Miller Ocean Therapy Foundation
About The Jimmy Miller Memorial Foundation
The Jimmy Miller Memorial Foundation was created to honor the life and legacy of Jimmy Miller, a renowned South Bay waterman, by sharing Jimmy’s love of the ocean and surfing with those suffering from mental, emotional and physical illness.
JMMF is recognized as the world leader in the developing field of Ocean/Surf Therapy which combines therapist-led group talk discussions with the challenge of learning how to surf and other ocean-related activities.
Andy Dellenbach
It is with broken hearts that we say goodbye to our CEO, friend and inspiring leader, Andy Dellenbach.
Andy was a founding member of the Jimmy Miller Memorial Foundation, a childhood friend of Jimmy’s and his college roommate. His connection to Jimmy, and his commitment to carrying Jimmy’s spirit forward, was deeply personal. With unmatched tenacity, vision and heart, Andy helped guide JMMF from a loving memorial into a leading Ocean Therapy organization. He dedicated himself to expanding our programs, strengthening our community and helping more people experience the healing power of the ocean.
Andy approached everything in his life, his faith, his love for Jena and Amanda, his friendships, surfing, golf, volleyball and work, with extraordinary drive and dedication. He believed deeply that healing was available to everyone and that lives could be transformed through connection, community and the courage to keep getting back up.
Andy’s passing came after an unrelenting battle with AL Amyloidosis, a rare and notoriously difficult-to-diagnose disease.
Andy’s legacy lives in every Ocean Therapy session, every volunteer he inspired, every participant who felt seen and supported, and every life made brighter because of his determination to help others.
We invite you to honor Andy by noticing the opportunities around you to give, showing up as a friend and supporter, and carrying his spirit forward by spreading love, light and joy.
Andy, we will miss your leadership, your strength, your friendship, your brilliant smile and your enormous heart more than words can express.
With oceans of gratitude, we thank you for everything you gave us. We will carry your legacy forward…one wave at a time.
What We Do
JMMF pioneered the formation of a unique outdoor recreational therapy protocol called Ocean Therapy. Our model combines therapist-led group discussion sessions and surfing (and other ocean-related activities) to provide relief, promote healing, increase self-esteem and self-efficacy and assist participants in finding balance and joy in their lives.
We serve a variety of populations that suffer from trauma-induced mental, emotional and physical illness including active-duty military, veterans, at-risk (“at-promise”) youth, healthcare workers, first responders, victims and survivors, people with special needs and the neurodivergent populations.
Thanks to our amazing supporters and volunteers, all of our Ocean Therapy sessions are offered free of charge to our participants.
Recurring Monthly Donors Campaign: Choose A New Year’s Resolution That Changes Lives
For 2026, choose a resolution with real impact. When you give monthly to the Jimmy Miller Memorial Foundation, you help provide ongoing ocean therapy sessions, trained support teams, and continued access for our military, veterans, youth, healthcare workers, first responders, survivors, and our neurodivergent populations. Monthly giving helps us plan ahead, expand our reach, and say “yes” to more people who need this proven, transformative outdoor recreational therapy.
Gratitude Gifts
$25 per month = JMMF License Plate Frame
$50 per month = JMMF Ocean Therapy Program plush beach towel
$100 per month = Hand made JMMF Supporter Wooden Desktop art by Chip Herwegh
Hang ten heroes! Veterans learn to surf at Manhattan Beach
by: Jocelyn Fiset Posted: Apr 17, 2026 / 01:57 PM PDT Updated: Apr 17, 2026 / 01:57 PM PDT A group of veterans learned how to “hang ten”
JMMF featured in Psychology Today: Surf Therapy for PTSD Recovery
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Surf Therapy for PTSD Recovery Surfing offers healing through exposure, belonging, and awe. Updated January 13, 2026 | By Jaimie Lusk, Psy.D., | Reviewed
CEO 2025 Annual Report
Click here for our full JMMF 2025 CEO Annual Recap
Upcoming Ocean Therapy Sessions
Our season is in full swing and we need volunteers.
Join us in the joy of healing others one wave at a time!
You will be glad you did!
Who We Help With Our Ocean Therapy
Pioneers of Ocean/ Surf Therapy
The Jimmy Miller Memorial Foundation pioneered the development of Ocean/Surf Therapy under the early direction of Dr. Carly Rogers during her Masters and then Doctorate programs at the University of Southern California. The JMMF team collectively wrote the Ocean/Surf Therapy manual that has been adopted by most organizations offering surf therapy today. As a founding member of ISTO (International Surf Therapy Organization), JMMF continues to lead the field, expanding to serve more populations in more areas and has the largest staff of trained ocean/surf therapists in the world.
Our Impact
Numbers tell part of the story, but not all of it. Last year alone:
Sessions Held 81+
Participants 500+
Volunteers 458
Lives Impacted: Countless
Sessions Held 55
(62% increase over 2021)
Participants 400+
(77% more than 2021)
Volunteers 600+
3000+ Volunteer Hours (79% increase)
105% Funding Increase Over 2021
Maintained 80% Goal of Budget Going Directly to Programming
