[Latest Update: The fundraiser and paddle out were a huge success and tons of fun. Adrian would be happy.
-We raised close to $33,000 through the auctions (live/silent), and raffle.
–DID YOU WIN A RAFFLE? CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT!
-Winners can pick up their item(s) at John Colins at 90 Natoma Street San Francisco, CA 94803 (www.johncolins.com).
-Winners have until 7/12/2008 to claim zee prize.]
As you likely know, on April 28th San Francisco resident, Adrian Ruiz was attacked and killed by a shark while on a surf trip in Mexico. What you might not know is that he was with me, the editor, and a few other friends.
On June 8th at 4 p.m. there will be an auction/fundraiser at Dragon Bar (San Francisco) in honor of Adrian. We have begun collecting auction items. Some items so far include autographed shoes and jerseys from the likes of Baron Davis, Carmelo Anthony, and Allen Iverson, as well as autographed surfboards from various professional surfers.
If you or anyone you know would like to donate an item for this auction/fund raiser, please contact me at [email protected].
Proceeds will be donated to the family of Adrian Ruiz, and other organizations in Adrian’s name. Your help and participation would be greatly appreciated. We hope to see you there.
Check back to this link for further details and items donated.
Fundraiser in honor of Adrian Ruiz, San Francisco Surfer Killed by Shark Attack in Mexico
Event Details
Location: Dragon Bar, 473 Broadway, SF
Time: June 8th, 4pm until close
Silent Auction: 4-6pm
Live Auction: 6:30
Raffle: To follow live auction (need not be present to win)
Complimentary appetizers
Credit Cards will be accepted at event (Visa, MC, AmEx)
Raffle tickets can be purchased before the event at: Nova; The Blue Light; John Colins; R Bar; Bar None
Items donated (new items added almost daily)
-Allen Iverson autographed Jersey and Shoes
-Carmelo Anthony autographed Jersey and Shoes
-Baron Davis autographed Jersey
-Golden State Warriors basketball autographed by entire team
-Surfboards (See this page for photos!, and below for the list.)
-Flowlab Longboard Skateboard
-One day use of Bentley Sedan provided by DRIV
-Sunglasses from Kaenon Polarized Optics
-2 tickets to Chihuly (Exhibit) at the de Young Museum
-2 tickets to Women Impressionist (Exhibit) at the Legion of Honor
-Various art pieces from http://www.pixbytrix.com
-His/Hers bikes from Elektra
-Trip for 2 to travel with the Golden State Warriors to an away game, including travel to and from, accommodations at the same hotel as the team, and of course 2 tickets to the game…wow!
-2 nights at the Ritz Carlton San Francisco
-Verizon Wireless phone, Venus by LG, v cast music phone with touch navigation
-One night stay for two people at Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort and 4 complimentary rounds of golf at Northstar-at-Tahoe including cart
-10 custom designed trucker hats from Girl Rider (girlrider.com)
-2 tickets to see “The Police” and Elvis Costello at the Shoreline Amphitheatre on Monday July 14, 2008 at 7:30 pm
-Kelly Slater autographed poster
-Bam Margera autographed poster
-AUTOGRAPHED BASEBALLS BY: CARL CRAWFORD; ALBERT PUJOLS; ICHIRO SUZUKI; JOE MAUER; CURT SCHILLING; MIGUEL TEJADA; JUSTIN MORNEAU
-Dirk Nowitski autographed shoes and jersey
-J. Kidd Autographed Jersey
-Phoenix Suns team ball
-Amare Stoudamire autographed jersey
-Gift Certificate to Enrico’s restaurant
-2 Diamond row seats for the A’s game on 7/8 v the Mariners. A tour of the TV (Comcast Sports Net) truck, broadcast booth, and be on the field for batting practice
-2x 90 minute massage gift certificates provided by Wendy Minter in San Mateo, CA
-More and more art from individual artists: print pieces, paintings, and more
-Ross Williams Autographed Surfboard (6’9″ Merrick)
-Keala Kennelly Autographed Surfboard & Picture (6’2″ Ian Wright)
-T. J. Barron Autographed Surfboard & Picture (6’3″ Barron)
-Kekoa Cazimero Autographed Surfboard (6’0″ Eric Arakawa)
-Ezekiel Lau Autographed Surfboard (5’9″ JS Ind.)
-Mark Healey Autographed Surfboard & Picture (7’0″ PYZEL)
-Flynn Novak Autographed Surfboard (6’0″ Bush Man)
-Daniel Jones Autographed Surfboard (5’10” J. Johnston)
-Kekoa Bacalso Autographed Surfboard & Picture (6’0″ Vesso Int.)
-Escape to the Valley from Cordevalle: www.cordevalle.com— 2 nights in a Bungalow for 2 persons, breakfast daily for 2 persons, welcome amenity, choice of one activity for each person: 1 round of golf with cart or a 90 minute classic massage (forecaddie and gratuities not included), wine tasting for 2 persons at clos lachance winery resort fee and applicable taxes included, $250 Spa Basket from Crescent Hotel. Total Value: $2,400
-Game Worn Ron Artest Jersey
-Game Worn Kevin Martin Jersey
-Kobe Bryant autographed basketball
-Phil Jackson autographed basketball
-Kevin Durant autographed shoes
-2 tickets for afternoon or evening cruise from Ruby Sailing
-1977 bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon from the Mondavi Winery in Oakville, CA, stored in the same cellar for the last 30years @ 50-52 degrees F.
-Brand new Mutant Wetsuit from O’Neil
-Autographed Baseballs from Noah Lowry, Tim Lincecum, and Matt Cain
-2 Nixon Watches (“the vega” for girls in light wood and one brown “the sentry” for guys)
-Hurley Wetsuits, Hats, T-shirts, and more
-4 Giants tickets for 6/13 against the A’s
-Michael Jordan autographed basketball!
Contact [email protected] to donate items for auction.
Donations
If you would like to make a cash or check donation, please make checks payable to:
Brant Helms fbo the Adrian Ruiz family or
Eric Griffin fbo the Adrian Ruiz family
All checks can be sent to:
720 Gough unit 49
San Francisco, CA 94102
If you would like to donate an item for raffle/auction, you can contact [email protected], so that we update this site and add it to our list. Items may be sent to:
720 Gough unit 49
San Francisco, CA 94102
Please include your return address that we can send you a receipt for your donation.
That’s it for now. Make sure to check back for more details and remember to link to this: http://thefrontsteps.com/2008/05/09/adrian-ruiz-fundraiser/ to help spread the word and raise some $$ in Adrian’s honor!
–San Francisco Surfer Killed by shark [Surfline]
Look for this Flyer around town, and spread it around!
Alex, that is very sad. I actually thought about you down there when I read that story and when I read the name as another person I sort of gave off a ‘phew’. So sorry about your loss and the loss of a friend under unimaginable circumstances. Best to all.
I am sorry for your loss as well.
Thanks guys. Much appreciated.
Sorry to hear about your loss. As a fellow surfer, I know he was doing something he loved. God bless.
I sent an email to you Alex.
Alex, I am very sorry to hear of your loss. May his memory always be with you and with his friends and family.
i’m back in town from a big vacation abroad and couldn’t believe it when i read this. i’m so sorry alex. great that you are organizing this effort for him.
Hey guys/gals. Thanks for the support. It’s a bummer indeed, but we are going to make some good out of it. I am not the only person organizing this. Brant and John are spear-heading the event. I’m just doing my part to get the word out and get some donations. We’ll take cash donations too. Just do your part and spread the word.
thanks,
alex
I first met Adrian in Dec 2007 when my husband and I and 14 year old daughter flew home to SF for a visit from Australia. He was dating my sister, Tobie, for a while at that point and I was immediately taken by him. His generous spirit, his laugh, his sense of humor, and the fact that he took such great care of Tobie. My daughter, well what can I say, Adrian was an instant hit! When my mother told me what happened, I was absolutely heart broken and I felt like we had lost a true member of our family. Tobie was and is shattered.
To know what you and others are doing with this auction/fund raiser, I am so overwhelmed with joy because I know Adrian would love it and be so happy. In fact, I know he is watching over everyone as we grieve and try to have some peace and acceptance…I know he is watching over what you are doing and is proud. Continued success and all the way from melbourne Australia, on 8 June, you will be receiving tons of positive energy from down under that the auction is an absolute success!!
To his family and friends, we are thinking about you, you are in our hearts; minds; and prayers, and I know one day, we will be able to think about Adrian and talk about Adrian without the raw sting of fresh grief.
All the best.
Autumn and family
none of yall no me but i am adrian’s cousin his mother’s nephew i live in louisiana…i was close to adrian when i was younger but since we have grown i have seen him less….the last time i saw him is when i came out to san francisco to visit in 2006..i had the time of my life when adrian took me around to where he liked to hangout….i really had fun with him at the giants game we went too…i am just glad to see how many people he touched in his short life lived he was a wonderful person to be around..!! i know his mother as well as the rest of his family are glad to see such a wonderful thing being done in rememberence of Adrian…thank you all so much…
To the friends of Adrian, I have not seen Adrian in 15 years since we were kids and I hated to hear the news of my cousins tragic death. It’s very comforting to see what ya’ll are doing for Cookie and Tamra. I know from his family in Texas and Louisiana we are very thankful for the generous response to minister to them. By reading the responses, it is clear that his life had a great impact on ya’ll. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
All things possible through God….
another shark attack
another young life gone…
Unbelievable!
There have been 3 shark attacks (2 deaths) in less than a month around Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo. More info here.
Even though this is not common (only shark attacks in 30 years on the mexican Pacific coast), local authorities are already working closely with shark experts for finding a solution/explanation.
I’ll be posting about Adrian, the fundraiser and everithing around this matter on my blog (in spanish): http://piko.surfeando.com.mx
From Mexico:
We are very sorry about what happend, we didnt know him, but we feel your loss.
Sincerely from Mexico Ximena M.
[Editor’s note: Gracias amigo!]
My heart goes out to Adrian’s family and friends. Thanks for organizing an opportunity to honor Adrian. While I have never met Adrian or Tamara in person, they live in my mind thanks to golf outing conversations with Sharla and Ricky.
It is SO nice to see something like this is being done for Adrian and his loved ones. My sorority sister was his girlfriend…. Much love to his friends and famiy, you all are in my thoughts and prayers.
i didn’t know him but that is very sad. it’s always a bummer to lose someone but at least it was the wonders of nature. this is really great what is happening here and hopefully this planet can be saved one day. you guys are doing a great job one wave at a time. much stoke sent your way from Capitola and peace to Adrian rip it on the backside in heaven.
hangloose
Dear Alex: As a fellow surfer, I am very sorry to have heard about Adrian’s passing because as surfers, we are all one big, extended family. I am very proud to see what we as a tribe do for our own. I’m sure his family is grateful for all your support and what you have done Alex, and for all of his other friends love and support; you are a true mate. I am also certain Adrian is catching perfect waves now with all the others who have passed before us; what an incredible lineup he is in now: sitting with surfing legends we have all admired, in the same way we admired Adrian’s pure spirit.
We are blessed to be surfers, and we are blessed to have surfed with and walked this Earth with Adrian. Aloha Adrian, save me a set wave up there…
The Hank Minkey Family of SF
[Editor’s note: Thanks Hank!]
Adrian was my cousin (actually he was my ex-step-second-cousin), and even though he wasn’t a blood relative, he was one of my closest relatives. All of my blood relatives are at least 20 years old to me, so I related to Adrian more than anyone. He always treated me like a sister and had a way of making me feel so special just for having known him. The news of his death shook me to my core; he was always so full of life and made the most of what he had and charmed the lives of those who knew him. I always knew many people loved him, but the response to the memorial auction and on this website are a special reminder of how many lives he touched and enriched. Every time I think about him my heart breaks all over again. He is always in my thoughts and in my heart and I’m glad to see how many other people’s lives he will always be a part of.
Hi, sorry to hear about your loss. My friend lost his arm in a shark attack in Hawaii.
In conversation this morning my friend mentioned Adrian Ruiz, so when i got home i googled him… and i’m so incredibly sad to learn that he’s no longer with us.
my heart goes out to all who knew and loved and lost him.
-Nick