The Surfrider Foundation extends its heartfelt appreciation and condolences to Harriet Zaresky and her daughter Taylor, a cherished supporter, and her late husband, Steve Henry. We are deeply saddened by the loss of Steve, who, along with Harriet, has been a longstanding advocate for the Surfrider Foundation and numerous other causes close to their hearts.
The unwavering dedication of Steve and Harriet to our organization started when they reached out to us following the tragic passing of their beloved son, Dillion Henry. Dillion's connection to the ocean prompted them to explore ways to honor his memory and make a lasting impact. It was through their incredible generosity that the Surfrider Foundation's first endowment was created, serving as a tribute to Dillion's life while supporting environmental and legal interns in perpetuity. Their commitment to students continued by providing critical funding and support to our Club Network during the early stages of its development helping to lead to over 120 student lead clubs throughout the U.S.
Not only did Steve and Harriet spearhead this transformative initiative, but they also provided additional funding for the first year's interns with a separate donation, ensuring that the principal of the endowment remained intact. Their exceptional commitment to our cause has allowed us to sponsor 35 interns, going from one to a total of four per year, who have since embarked on meaningful careers in environmental and legal fields. During our annual summer lunch with interns, Steve always showed great interest in each interns path toward the future.
Katie Day, Sr. Manager of Science and Policy for the Surfrider Foundation, had the pleasure of meeting Steve and Harriet when she was a graduate student intern at our headquarters in 2016. She was awarded the position through the annual internship program that Steve and Harriet established. She often reflects on how their kindness, generosity and this career growth opportunity changed the trajectory of her life and set the path for a career she always dreamed of. By the end of her summer internship, she was hired as a part time Surfrider staff while she finished her graduate degree, and upon graduation, was hired full time. She is now helping to run the very program that she was lucky enough to be a part of; the Dillon Henry Memorial Graduate Student Internship. While she never got to meet Dillon, his name and the stories of his passionate work to protect our ocean and coasts continue to be shared and inspire others; and after meeting his incredible parents, it's easy to see where he got it from.
The Surfrider Foundation and the countless individuals benefiting from their contributions are forever grateful to Steve and Harriet for their extraordinary generosity and the lasting legacy they have created. Their philanthropic spirit continues to inspire us as we strive to protect and preserve our precious oceans. Once again, thank you, Harriet and Steve, for being an integral part of our journey and for sharing your family's profound impact on our organization and the world at large. Your support and compassion have left an indelible mark on the Surfrider Foundation and the lives it touches.