THE BIG ROCK FOUNDATION
710 Evans Street, Morehead City, North Carolina 28557
(252) 247-3575 · https://www.thebigrock.com/charities/
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Crystal Hesmer, Big Rock Foundation Director, crystal@thebigrock.com
The Big Rock Foundation Makes Waves With a Milestone 1.6 Million Dollar Donation to Charities!
Morehead City, NC (November 28, 2023) – The Big Rock Foundation Makes Waves of Generosity with a Staggering $1.6 Million Donation to Charities on Giving Tuesday.
The Big Rock Foundation proudly announces a momentous donation of $1,659,000 to charities on Giving Tuesday. This extraordinary contribution is the largest annual donation and marks a milestone for the foundation. The Big Rock Foundation’s charitable giving now surpasses $10 Million since 1986!
September 14, 1957, marked the first-ever landing of a blue marlin in Morehead City. Today, we’re making history once again by giving back $1.6 million to well-deserving organizations in Carteret County and beyond. It’s our way of honoring the spirit of that historical catch 65 years ago and paying tribute to the growth of the tournament.
Just like that historic catch, The Big Rock Foundation is hooked on the idea that small actions can lead to something monumental. The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament, with its 271 boats and anglers from around the world, is the driving force behind the incredible donation. Additionally, the Big Rock Keli Wagner Lady Angler Tournament has become the world’s largest ladies-only tournament, boasting 266 boats. The Big Rock Kids Tournament has become a renowned event that gets Jr. Anglers hooked on fishing and has funded donations to children’s charities in Eastern North Carolina.
“The charitable contributions announced today are made possible by the record-breaking success, participation and sponsorship across all three events, and year-round retail sales.” – Madison Struyk, Executive Director.
The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament isn’t just about fishing; it’s about creating a tidal wave of change. The Big Rock Foundation knows how to ride that wave, turning every dollar from retail sales, every generous donation, and every participant’s enthusiasm into a force for good.
The Foundation combines the passion of its donors, tournament participants, sponsors, and retail customers to generate funds for its philanthropic endeavors. Those funds are distributed among a carefully selected group of charities that align with the foundation’s mission. The charities represent a diverse range of causes, including but not limited to education, healthcare, community improvement, and conservation.
The Big Rock Foundation is proud to announce its largest single donation ever made – a transformative donation of $500,000 to Carteret Health Care for the establishment of a state-of-the-art oncology center. The funds will be utilized to establish a cutting-edge cancer center at Carteret Health Care, providing crucial resources for the diagnosis, treatment, and care of individuals facing cancer. This initiative aligns with the Big Rock Foundation’s mission to make a lasting impact on community health and ensure that residents have access to top-tier medical facilities and services.
“This is a historical day for the Big Rock tournaments, the best day of the year!”, commented Crystal Hesmer, Foundation Director. “We are so thankful for our many donations to the Foundation this year including memorial, individual and participant contributions.”
The Big Rock Foundation extends its heartfelt gratitude to all those who have contributed to the foundation’s success, emphasizing that this donation is a testament to the collective power of individual donors, memorial contributions and support for the Big Rock Tournament.
About The Big Rock Foundation:
The Big Rock Foundation is the charitable arm of the Big Rock Tournaments. The foundation harnesses the support of donors, participants, and retail sales to make a significant impact on society. The foundation is committed to creating lasting change by supporting charities across various sectors, including education, healthcare, conservation, and community improvement. Through a collaborative approach, The Big Rock Foundation inspires individuals and businesses to contribute to the movement for a better community. For more information, please visit thebigrock.com/charity.
2023 BIG ROCK DONATIONS
Autism Society of NC, $10,000
Beaufort Little League, $177,000
Beaufort Middle School, $84,000
BridgeKids Preschool, $28,000
Broad Creek Middle School, $20,500
Coastal Pregnancy Care Center, $20,000
Croatan High School-BAND, $50,000
Delta Health Foundation, $10,000
East Carteret-Band, $16,000
Family Promise, $20,000
IGFA, $16,000
Knights of Columbus- LAMB Foundation, $2000
Make a Wish, $10,000
Military Appreciation Day, $10,000
Morehead City Middle School Band, $33,000
Newport Babe Ruth League Inc., $30,000
Newport Little League, $48,000
NC STATE University, $30,000
Purpose Driven Youth Ministry, $5,000
Pretty in Pink, $35,000
West Carteret Band, $50,000
Western Carteret Fire and EMS, $69,000
Carteret Community Theatre, $250,000
Carteret Health Care, $500,000
BIG ROCK CORE CHARITIES
KWLA- Carteret Healthcare, $25,000
BRKIDS- Boys and Girls Club, $35,000
Broad Street Clinic, $7,500
Crystal Coast Hospice House, $7,500
East Carolina Council for Boys Scouts, $7,500
The History Place, $7,500
Hope Mission, $7,500
Martha’s Mission, $7,500
North Carolina State University, Research, $10,000
North Carolina Symphony-Carteret County, $17,000
Station Club/ Easter Seals UPC, $7,500