Tag Archive: grind out hunger

Apr
07

Specialized Helicopters, Fighting Hunger From the Skies

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Specialized Helicopters Hangar.

Specialized Helicopters, the newest addition to the Grind Out Hunger sponsors…

About a week ago Danny Keith put the word out on his Facebook profile that he was wanting a helicopter for Grind Out Hunger. Why we need a helicopter? Time will tell…but that didn’t stop him from finding a partner to team up with the cause.

On Friday we cruised over to Specialized Helicopters in Watsonville and met up with Chief Pilot, Chris Gularte, sat down and talked for quite some time about the mission of Grind Out Hunger and how the partnership with Specialized Helicopter would look.

Danny explained to Chris that 1:4 Kids are going hungry in Santa Cruz and that Second Harvest Food Bank serves 55,000 people a month in Santa Cruz County alone. Chis dropped his pen the moment that he heard these numbers. He couldn’t understand how in Santa Cruz County, one of the most agriculturally rich locations (7th largest Ag industry in the world), people could be going food insecure. He knew right from that minute that he had to back the Grind Out Hunger program.

The conversation continued over lunch and when we came back to his office we went up in a helicopter to take a quick tour of Elkhorn Slough and the Santa Cruz coast line. Hovering over the bay, the experience was almost surreal. Grind Out Hunger going airborne…

We worked out a deal with Chris where 15% of each helicopter tour fee will be donated to Grind Out Hunger.

Click the button below to check out the different helicopter tour packages offered by Specialized Helicopters in Watsonville


This shows you that any type of business can be part of the war against hunger. We all need to come together, individuals, and businesses, to combine our strengths and talents to eradicate childhood hunger. It will take an army, and that army is building.

Chris Gularte. Chief Pilot. Specialized Helicopters. Hunger Fighter.

Specialized Helicopters

Chris Gularte showing Danny Keith into the helicopter

Inside the heli before takeoff.

Grind Out Hunger founder Danny Keith

Santa Cruz Coast

Danny Keith looking over the ocean off the Santa Cruz Coast.

Santa Cruz Coast

Second Harvest Food Bank from above....

Watsonville Airport

Specialized Helicopters Chris Gularte and Grind Out Hunger founder Danny Keith

Shawn Hatjes and Danny Keith at Specialized Helicopters...

About the New Hunger Fighter Specialized Helicopters

Specialized Helicopters, llc & Specialized Aviation serves all your helicopter needs, from tours and training to sales, service and overhaul. With a team of dedicated pilots and a fleet of state-of-the-art Robinson Helicopters and airplanes, we are committed to providing a high level of customer satisfaction, allowing exceptional experiences for all our customers.

Our flight operation services include the best in aerial photography, helicopter tours, charter, flight training and adventure flights. Our team of certified instructors and pilots are here to provide you with one-on-one instruction and personalized flights. Whether you are looking to obtain your private or commercial pilot’s license, or just looking to see the Bay Area from a bird’s eye view, Specialized Aviation can help.

Helicopter tours and flying lessons offer the experience of a lifetime and a unique vantage point for viewing the Monterey and San Francisco Bay. So gather your friends, or your clients, and experience the splendor of the California coast and inlands today with Specialized Aviation.

For those who already know the joy of riding in an aircraft and are looking for repairs and aircraft service, we are the only California Robinson dealership and service center along the coastline from Long Beach to the Oregon border. We’ve created our service and overhaul department to give the airplane and helicopter owner the best alternative to a factory service.

Specialized Helicopters has 2 locations to serve you.

1. Specialized Helicopter / Specialized Aviation in Watsonville

2. Specialized Helicopters Monterey

Click here to see the amazing Monterey Bay from above and help fight childhood hunger at the same time!

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Apr
05

10% Night at Palapas Restaurant to Benefit Marissa Hushaw’s Campaign

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10% Night at Palapas Restaurant and Cantina 

Benefiting Marissa Hushaw’s Grind Out Hunger Campaign

Tuesday, April 24th 2012

5pm-10pm

21 Seascape Village
Aptos, CA 95003

Call  (831) 662-9000 and reserve a table today.
This event is already 60% full. Reservation is suggested, but not required.

Mention Grind Out Hunger during your dinner at Palapas and 10% of your bill will be donated to Grind Out Hunger!

“One tiny spark of hope can make a colossal difference. Join me in the war against hunger.”
~ Marissa Hushaw

Click here to RSVP to the event on Facebook


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Apr
03

Marissa Hushaw’s First Annual Grind Out Hunger Rail Jam Raises 3,600 Meals

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First off, we have to congratulate Marissa for winning 1st place in BoarderX and 1st in GS for round 4 of the 2012 CCSSS (Central California Ski & Snowboard Series) series at China Peak Mountain Resort. As well as 1st place (Over all points) female individual of the year in both BoarderX and GS.

Fresno Boardroom and China Peak Sponsor of the CCSSS and awarded Marissa with a $100.00 Gift Card for “Outstanding athlete of the season”. This was given to two outstanding athletes (Male and Female) who improved the most and demonstrated determination, hard-work throughout the 2012 China Peak CCSSS series.

Moving forward next season Marissa has stated she will continue to pursue BoarderX and will change things up a bit focusing on “Slope Style” Park competitions.  She plans to continue with her Grind Out Hunger passion locally at her home mountain China Peak in the 2013 CCSSS series and USASA South Lake Tahoe sanctioned competitions…

Marissa Hushaw wins 1st in both BoarderX and GS

What a great way to kick off the First annual Marissa Hushaw Grind Out Hunger Rail Jam at China Peak Resort! Let’s dive into that success, shall we….

The GOH Rail Jam Crew! Thanks For showing up and supporting!

Saturday morning. 6:30am wake up call. Sun is shining and we are ready to roll…

We got all of the equipment up to the location of the Rail Jam and began setting up. As it got closer to the beginning of the event kids, parents, families and competitors started showing up, all in support of Marissa, China Peak, and Grind Out Hunger. We all hung out, talked, laughed, shredded, enjoyed the sun, music, and family of China Peak.
We were told that this was one of the best competitions of the season, not necessarily because of the turnout, but because of the amount of positivity and fun generated by the event and the group of participant.
All we wanted to do was provide a great time for kids to compete, win prizes, learn about Grind Out Hunger, and make new friends. All of that AND MORE happened last Saturday.

DJ Adam in the Mix, supporting Grind Out Hunger and laying down a mix of dubstep, rock and metal to amp up the competitors.

Huge congratulations to Marissa for getting this event together, drawing the crowd, spreading the word and being such a great mentor and friend to her peers on the China Peak Mountain. It is very clear that she has an  army of hunger fighters on that mountain ready to drop everything for the cause.

Jacob talking to the competitors before the comp begins.

There were many many people that made this event such success. We would like to start by giving a big thank you and shout out to Jacob Williams, Event Coordinator at China Peak. He is the man that made this an all time event for China Peak and Grind Out Hunger. All about kids, Jacob has embraced Grind Out Hunger since day 1, giving Marissa 110% of his support in any way that he can. He personally setup, coordinated and made the day, giving his time above and beyond his normal China Peak responsibility. Back up supporting roles from China Peak Marketing Michelle Vikupitz, Brenna Blagg and Lyndsie Couto made for a perfect event.

We were surprised when we were told that all of the people attending the event was going to get a FREE lunch from China Peak. We would like to thank Keith for cooking up all those hot dogs to feed the kids! so rad.

Also want to give shout outs to; Frank Cuellar on video, DJ Adam mixing tunes all day at the China Peak Bus, Andrew Ray, China Peak Parks Manager on the Mic as M/C, Fresno Boardroom Crew for judging and providing prizes, Jimbo Phillips for supporting and signing a BUNCH of prizes for the kids, Santa Cruz Snowboards for providing the grand prize, Santa Cruz Skate and Surf Shop for prizes and support. We also had Rich Bailey and Olivia Lyons with “National Ski Patrol” over seeing the safety for all the kids and adults alike during the event. So grateful for their generous support.

JP Jantry and Brian Furrow from the Fresno Boardroom ready to judge the comp. Thanks for supporting, guys!

Special thanks to Tim Cohee, owner of China Peak for approving of the event working direct with Marissa on the concept!
Most of thanks to all the competitors, staff at China Peak, Parents and friends for supporting Marissa Hushaw’s 1st annual Grind Out Hunger Rail Jam at China Peak.

Hunger Fighter, Marissa Hushaw

“I don’t know where to begin. My weekend was amazing! I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect Rail Jam for grind Out Hunger. My goal was to have everyone leave happy and stoked for whats next. Mission Accomplished. found out there are a lot of hunger fighters out there who are willing to become a part of my army and help spread the word to the world! The music was amazing, My Friend Adam who’s a liftie and a HUGE sharks fan was the DJ, and he threw out some crazy beats. Everyone had a blast dancing around the Bus, and even chilling on top of the bus cheering on the competitors. It was great to see and feel all the support that was shared that day, and was glad to see everyone enjoying themselves and having a blast! Cant Wait for whats next. ;) ”

-Marissa Hushaw

 

Austin Kurtze

After adding up total donations from the entire event Marissa Hushaw, China Peak, and all of the supporters raised 3,600 Meals for Grind Out Hunger.
China Peak has already invited us back for a second annual event. If you didn’t make it to this one, be on the lookout for next years!

Enjoy a video of the event and about Grind Out Hunger filmed and edited by Frank Cuella:
If you would like to make a donation to Marissa Hushaw’s Grind Out Hunger Campaign follow the button below…



Enjoy a slidershow of photos below. If you would like to see and share these photos on Facebook check out our gallery on there at www.facebook.com/grindouthunger

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Mar
30

Big Wave Surfer Ken “Skindog” Collins signs on to be 1st Surfing Hunger Fighter

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I have been in the Action Sports industry for quite sometime, I know a lot of people and often times people ask me what Grind Out Hunger is all about. Recent Billabong XXL nominee and Volcom sponsored athlete/NorCal sales rep Ken “Skindog” Collins only needed about 5 minutes before he signed on.

Big Wave Surfer and Hunger Fighter Ken "Skindog" Collins

Fast forward to our relationship with The Go Big Project and Skindog’s Chasing Monsters which is all about Big Wave Surfers and their pursuit to ride the biggest waves in the world. We were doing an interview on 102.5 KDON which included The Go Big Project founder/CEO Rocky Romano and Ken “Skindog” Collins to promote the Mavericks Invitational Festival amongst a few other things. In between breaks Skindog and I (we have been friends for for 15 years plus) began to discuss what Grind Out Hunger is all about. I began to tell him how 1 in 4 kids are going hungry in Santa Cruz County and that Second Harvest Food Bank is serving over 55,000 community members every month with over 600,000 pounds of food a month. Then we started talking about the Hunger Fighters (Marissa Hushaw and Zane Keith) and what they do to be a part of Grind Out Hunger’s war on childhood hunger and malnutrition.

102.5 KDON The Morning Madhouse, Skindog and The Go Big Project's Rocky Romano

Immediately Skindog wanted in.

Unbelievable, to say we are speechless is an understatement. Grind Out Hunger has such insane momentum with the addition of Ken “Skindog” Collins to the Hunger Fighter Team is just beyond words. The commitment of the Action Sports community to attack childhood hunger head on and state point blank we are not going to let it happen on our watch is resonating. Kenny goes on to state “I am on the same page as Grind Out Hunger, it is America and it’s one of the biggest economy’s in the world. The fact that we have enough food on this planet to feed everyone 7 times over , we need to address this head on… it’s lame that we let kids go hungry in Santa Cruz County.”

102.5 KDON The Morning Madhouse, Ken "Skindog" Collins, The Go Big Project's Rocky Romano

The Go Big Project’s Rocky Romano quips ” I cannot even imagine that we are letting kids go hungry in Santa Cruz County, I am blown away. The Go Big Project decided that we can make a huge difference so we are now signed on to Grind Out Hunger and it’s completely unacceptable that kids are going hungry. PERIOD!“

RickyDanny and Rocky Romano The Go Big Project

Look for Skindog’s Hunger Fighter bracelet colors black and yellow to be hitting the website in the next few weeks, he will be placing Grind Out Hunger surf logo’s all over the place and fighting hunger. Make sure to recognize Kenny’s nomination into the Billabong XXL awards, this guy seriously charges. More to come from the Skindog camp you can bet on that.

Billabong XXL Monster Paddle in Ken "Skindog" Collins photo's by Rob Brown ©

Just to make sure you all understand…the war is on. Childhood Hunger and Malnutrition doesn’t stand a chance.

~Danny Keith Founder of Grind Out Hunger~

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Mar
30

SOS High School students visit food bank and become hunger fighters!

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SOS High School Students and Grind Out Hunger Founder Danny Keith

It has been am awesome week, so much momentum for Grind Out Hunger. So much in fact that Thursday snuck up on us and the students of SOS High School were out in the courtyard waiting for their tour to start. As my guests were waiting I had to reflect…The best part of my job is to take students on tours of Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County and today was no different.

It started as usual, most people that come out to the food bank realize the obvious that food is distributed to the people that need it. What almost all of the people do not realize is that is just the very tip of the iceberg. Food banks are complex community hubs that champion a multitude of opportunities improving lives.

I start of with our guests letting them know a few things about the food bank they might find interesting. Fact one: 1 in 4 kids are going hungry or malnourished in Santa Cruz County. Fact two: The food bank serves over 55,000 people per month, Fact three: Second Harvest Food Bank is the second oldest food bank in the United States. Fact four: Grind Out Hunger and the youth of Santa Cruz County have raised over 1 million pounds of food.

As we cruised through the food bank, the students met Events and Food Drives Manager Bly Morales,  Volunteer Services Manager Danny Robles, CEO Willy Elliot-McCrea, Chief Operations and Programs Officer Brooke Johnson and multiple people throughout the warehouse. We watched a bag packing session (complete with LMFAO’s “I work out” on 102.5 KDON) and got to check out what was actually packed in the bags (there were pistachios in the bags we opened!). A bunch of students ran through the freezer and then the refrigerator, we talked about how many frozen chickens distributed over the holidays (30,000!!!) and how many pounds of fresh fruits and produce rotates in and out of the refrigerator (over 150,000  pounds).

As we wrapped it up, we talked about skateboarding and how it applies to helping people out, why I founded Grind Out Hunger, a little about myself (a 5 year stint on 102.5 KDON’s The Morning Madhouse and Santa Cruz Skate and Surf Shop always helps.)and how I grew up. After all is said and done, I like to leave students with some words of advice. As I hand every student my business card and their Hunger Fighter Bracelets, I tell them to make two promises to me;

1. Don’t do anything you are not passionate about, you can make as much money doing something you love rather than working in a job you hate.

2. One person can make a difference.

Ladies and gentlemen I give you the most recent batch of Hunger Fighters from SOS High School. You guys rule and can do anything you put your minds to!

Newly crowned Hunger Fighters SOS High School Students and Grind Out Hunger Founder Danny Keith

About SOS School:
SOS is designed for students up to age 19 who are returning to school and who want to continue their education and work towards a high school diploma, GED, or transition to Cabrillo College.
SOS is an individualized, student-centered program that also includes vocational education. The SOS Program is a collaboration between Watsonville/Aptos Adult Ed., COE’s Alternative Education, Cabrillo College, Regional Occupational Program (ROP), and Pájaro Valley USD.
For more information visit their website at: http://www.santacruz.k12.ca.us/alt_ed/schools/sos.html

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Mar
28

Star studded night, Big Wave Surfers, The Go Big Project and Chris Nuñez of Miami Ink/Ink Master raise 4000 Meals

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Joey Hernandez (Empire Entertainment), Danny Keith (Grind Out Hunger), Rocky Romano (The Go Big Project), and Chriz Nuñez (Miami Ink/Ink Master) at Maverick Moments Screening Saturday Night.

Joey Hernandez (Empire Entertainment), Danny Keith (Grind Out Hunger), Rocky Romano (The Go Big Project), and Chriz Nuñez (Miami Ink/Ink Master) at Maverick Moments Screening Saturday Night.

What can only be described as a night to be remembered, started out with torrential downpours. That did not stop hundreds of people turning out in their Saturday finest to support Grind Out Hunger‘s roll out of Surf as one of three new divisions. We called up Grind Out Hunger partner Timmy Hunt of Pono Hawaiian Grill and he gladly whipped up PuPu’s for 150 people, ” You know Pono Hawaiian Grill supports every Grind Out Hunger event regardless, lets do this brah!” It’s fairly obvious that people are moved to combat childhood hunger and will do whatever it takes to bring awareness.

Ken “Skindog” Collins in his support of feeding kids, donated hundreds of dollars of Volcom Gear to be given away over the course of the evening. “The fact that we have any kids let alone 1 in 4 going hungry is not going to fly with me, we are going to hit this head on and beat childhood hunger”.

The Go Big Project‘s CEO Rocky Romano approached founder Danny Keith and asked the question…we want in, how can we do it? Literally at that moment the surf division was born (another Jimbo Phillips masterpiece). With that came the opportunity to partner with the Maverick Moments docuseries about the gladiators of big wave surfing and the 4 to 5 times it breaks a year. The 2011-2012 season produced and Saturday night was the unveiling of the small films that make up Maverick Moments.

As stated in the Santa Cruz Patch article, both The Go Big Project and Grind Out Hunger put together a night and invited all the right people to attend and hear the message…The declaration of war on childhood hunger in Santa Cruz County. A couple of those people were Joey Hernandez CEO of Empire Entertainment and Chris Nuñez of Miami Ink/Ink Master fame mixed in with numerous Big Wave Surfers, Shawn Dollar, Anthony Tashnick, Nic Lamb, Andreas Flores and Tyler Fox.

About 200 people gathered together Saturday night at the R. Blitzer Gallery to watch the premier of The Go Big Project's "Maverick Moments: Danger" film.

Brian Laing CEO Hive Media and The Deadliest Catch Video Game; Eric Oejten of Empire Entertainment; Elizabeth Gummere President of the Santa Cruz Film Festival; Robert Blitzer of R. Blitzer Gallery;  Jason “J-Willz” Williams and Jesse Corona of Ribsys Nickel; DJ Rudy B; Shawn Hatjes Photography and Surf Photographer Ryan “Chachi” Craig. Over all about 200 people filtered in and out over the evening at the R. Blitzer Gallery.

Danny Keith, Nic Lamb, and Rocky Romano.

Fans were able to hang out with the pro’s and the Miami Celebs and watch “Danger” part of the Maverick Moments documentary series. All of this was a precursor to the Mavericks Invitational Festival being held March 31st in Half Moon Bay which the Grind Out Hunger ramps will be a part of amongst some of the best big wave surfers. This night they will reveal multiple awards to be given to the surfers that got the best wave, best wipeout and many others. Please visit Mavericks Invitational Festival website and purchase your advance tickets and merchandise. Also please show up March 31st and support the event that is supporting Grind Out Hunger.

Chris Nuñez of Miami Ink/Ink Master and Grind Out Hunger Founder Danny Keith

The night also brought about some deep discussions about fighting childhood hunger nationwide with Chris Nuñez of Miami Ink/Ink Master and Grind Out Hunger Founder doing a hand shake deal to take Grind Out Hunger to Miami ASAP and work from the East Coast to the West Coast until no child goes hungry. Joey Hernandez CEO of Empire Entertainment was right there with Chris stating that no kid should go hungry and there are a new group of warriors ready to make sure we win this war.

Grind Out Hunger has blossomed from a skateboarding based charity to one that represents the lifestyle of the independent mindset. Skater, Surfers and Snowboarders united with Musicians (Jimbo Phillips logo dropping soon) have pledged one by one to fight childhood hunger locally and move nationally county by county.

Jason "J-Willz" Williams and Jesse Corona of local band Ribsys Nickel supporting Grind Out Hunger and The Go Big Project.

Current Hunger Fighters Snowboarder Marissa Hushaw and Skater Zane Keith are in full swing and currently Grind Out Hunger is signing Ken “Skindog” Collins and Nic Lamb two big wave gladiators that will have their own Grind Out Hunger merchandise landing soon. The newest division Musician will soon be added with bands dedicated to fighting childhood hunger just like their Skating, Surfing and Snowboarding counterparts. Take a look at the pic above…yep the best bands are already stepping up and getting involved and Ribsys Nickel would be an awesome partner (hint).

The future of Grind Out Hunger looks bright as the partnerships are beginning to form with one main focus…destroy childhood hunger. Stay tuned as digital media gets involved and we begin to tell the story that most do not want to hear….Kids going hungry. Coming to your T.V. very soon.

Extra special thanks to the nights sponsors, R. Blitzer Gallery, Pono Hawaiian Grill, DJ Rudy B, Volcom Clothing, Santa Cruz Film Festival, all The Go Big Project employees, the Grind Out Hunger volunteers, Cafe Mare, KK the bartender, all the people that came out and supported feeding kids and of course a HUGE THANKS to Big Cat and Anthony who were our bodyguards all night long making sure no one got out of line.

Special thanks to Jimbo Phillips for providing the iconic fork over concept, so far we have Surf, Skate, Snow and now Music is about to be revealed.

Our amazing sponsors include the Jay Moriarity Foundation, The Go Big Project, Santa Cruz Skate and Surf Shop, Whole Foods of Captiola/Santa Cruz, KDON 102.5, Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County, 3D Construction, Pono Hawaiian Grill and of course Jimbo Phillips Graphix.

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