West Marine Kicks Off “Month of Giving”

West Marine kicked off its annual “Month of Giving” on December 1 to support its nonprofit, BlueFuture. During this month-long fundraiser, customers can make donations to BlueFuture by purchasing “Give Joy” gift tags in-store. One hundred percent of the proceeds raised during Month of Giving will benefit the BlueFuture grants program, which annually distributes grants to dozens of nonprofit organizations dedicated to getting kids on the water through boating, fishing, paddling and the marine sciences. This past year, 50 organizations received a $1,500 unrestricted grant from the BlueFuture program.

“The organizations these grants support are always in need. We received more applications than ever during the 2018 grant cycle and every single one had a mission worth supporting,” said Laura Barry, West Marine director of communications. “With the help and support of our generous customers, we will raise the funds to provide another $75,000 in grants in 2019.”

Donations will be accepted in any amount at store locations and can also be made online at westmarine.com/bluefuture. BlueFuture is a donor-advised fund set up through the Community Foundation of Santa Cruz County, and all donations are fully tax deductible.