Invitation to Assist Collin

My name is Adam and I’m launching this fundraising campaign in an effort to assist my son Collin in doing what he does best: He looks out for the underdog.  He is acutely aware of other people’s feelings and circumstances.  Collin’s influence  quietly (yet powerfully) inspires others to join in and experience the joy that comes with creating opportunities of serving one another. 

Collin recently founded his own company: Simple Surf. The mission is to inspire Creativity and spread Awareness.


Here’s the backdrop of how this idea came into being:

Collin and I recently took a drive up a beautiful canyon and ended up having a very raw heart to heart conversation.  We talked about the struggles kids in his age range are facing.  

Currently, he is experiencing what it’s like to be a Sophomore in high school in the year 2020.  Anyone who has previously been through their own sophomore year would likely agree: being in school then vs. now is aVERY different experience than what kids in 2020 are facing today:

-Broken/abusive homes 
-Out of control social media
-Constantly being bombarded with messaging that lure them into the   destructive belief that they “ARE NOT ENOUGH”
-Cyber bullying
-Depression
-Anxiety
-The psychological and emotional effects of the Pandemic
-Fear that stems from all the turmoil and uncertainty of current events
-Skyrocketing suicide rates in every age group as young 10 years old on up

The aforementioned are merely a handful of the challenges EVERY young person alive today is experiencing and it happens to be occurring during THE most impressionable years of their lives.  

As a result, so many are shutting down and devolving into what is a grossly misunderstood state of being: Survival Mode.  Survival mode is where addiction, self-identification with harmful influences, the deepening of destructive thought patterns and separation from one’s true self occurs. 

Even though Collin is only 15 years old, he understands the gravity of the challenges at hand and has a desire to do what he can to assist  others.  He saw an opportunity with Simple Surf to be able to create products that will spread a hopeful message and raise Awareness in a fun relatable way.





This isn’t a campaign  solely dedicated to mental health awareness.  Nor is it solely dedicated to suicide awareness, or cyber bullying awareness.  This campaign is dedicated to raising  collective AWARENESS as a whole.  

Collin and I feel like most people are already aware of what the symptoms and consequences attached to mental health challenges etc.  However, the numbers indicate that no matter how much attention these topics get, these topics aren’t being dealt with as effectively as they could be.  Collin wants to contribute in shifting the approach.

Everyone deserves to know how their contribution will be put to good use!

Use of funds raised:

*Continued design of merchandise (Clothing, hats, water bottles etc.) that spreads positive messages
*There are  “Minimum Order Quantities” that are required by the manufacturers on any type of merchandise ordered.  Buying in bulk is cost effective however, it is still costLY.
*Setting up digital presence 
*Website: design, hosting, maintenance 
*Marketing
*Fulfillment of orders
*Customer service
*Content creation on various social media platforms aimed at encouraging, inspiring and inviting others to BE the Creators they already are yet, may have forgotten

*Most importantly, the funds raised will facilitate Collin’s company in generating profit.  A LARGE portion of any revenue earned will go to 2 major purposes:

1.) Finding and assisting those who are in a very dark place.
2.) Profit generated will be reinvested to create/share more and more tools that will expose people (of all ages) to coping mechanisms that actually work.

Here is just one example of how Collin’s influence has inspired others in the past:


At the end of November a handful of years ago, Collin was attending a church service where the leadership invited everyone in the congregation to consider contributing a little extra in donations because Christmas was rapidly approaching.  There were some families in need that the church wanted to help.

As Collin walked home with one of his friends (both were 10-11 years old at the time) all they could talk about was how they could contribute to the families in need during that Christmas season.  

A plan was hatched!  They chose to set up a hot chocolate stand on their corner where they would spend the next 3 Saturdays (in the freezing cold) leading up to the week before Christmas.  At which point, they’d take everything they earned and donate it to assist those in need.

The results were astounding!  Individuals young and old came out of the woodwork to assist them in their intention.  Aside from all those that contributed supplies (cups, coco mix, set-up/take down time etc.) countless numbers of loving souls’ had their hearts touched.  In turn, they generously supported these boys’ efforts.  

The Hot Chocolate stand was so successful they chose to do it the next couple of years as well.  Each year was received with the same inspiring response.  Thousands of dollars were raised!  Every cent of which (by their own choice) anonymously went to brighten up the lives of those who otherwise would’ve had a much different Christmas.

As a father, my heart could’ve burst with pure joy because I got to witness in realtime the impact that is possible when a couple of elementary school kids choose to look beyond themselves and look out for the underdog.

Shortly after their fund raiser, I received a phone call from the school district.  The lady told me several teachers from his school had heard about Collin’s hot coco stand and what a success it had been.  She expressed how inspiring his story was (to her and many others) and was calling to ask my permission to interview Collin and do a front page write-up on him.  I thanked her for her kindness and interest but, let her know that it was ultimately up to Collin.  

When I told him about the call and asked what he thought about being interviewed and featured; rather than being flattered, Collin was more mortified and embarrassed.  He gave me this simple yet, pure explanation: “Dad, I didn’t do any of this to be recognized.  I just wanted to help.”  He politely declined.

This time around is no different.  Collin’s motivation isn’t for recognition or to be seen. Through his unique perspective, he recognizes there are many MANY people his age who are struggling and he wants to do something about it.

Simple Surf’s effect has the potential to expand exponentially because it isn’t confined to a physical location. The impact Collin and his friends made on their neighborhood block were amazing with the hot coco stand!  Simple Surf’s effect has the potential to expand exponentially because it isn’t confined to a physical location.

Collin is committed to building a company that's primary purpose is to assist others.  Although other forms of funding are available, I feel that by inviting all who are willing and able to to participate, the reach and impact of his endeavor will be far greater!

I want to hank you from the bottom of my heart for reading/sharing/contributing to this campaign!  Although Simple Surf is really new, real people (including myself) have already been inspired and have had their hearts touched.  With your assistance, the potential effect this has is unlimited!

FEAR doesn’t stand a chance when we realize LOVE is the alternative.