Malibu's Annual Holiday Party to Launch SurfAid Partnership

The City of Malibu invites the entire community to its annual Holiday Party at City Hall, 23825 Stuart Ranch Road, on Thursday, December 20, from 4:00 to 6:00 pm.

In addition to thanking the City's many volunteers and spreading holiday cheer through live music by a harpist, a fun photo booth and delicious desserts, the party serves to celebrate the joy of giving. Guests are invited to support two admirable causes: SurfAid and the Los Angeles County Fire Department's annual Spark of Love Toy Drive.

Partygoers will have the opportunity to make donations and learn more about SurfAid, a nonprofit organization that aims to improve the health, well-being and self-reliance of people living in isolated regions around the world connected by the sport of surfing. The City recently announced its partnership with SurfAid to promote the nonprofit's humanitarian efforts in West Sumatra, Indonesia by adopting the Mentawai Islands as a Sister Surf Paradise. With support from individuals, surfing organizations, corporations, leading philanthropic foundations and the governments of Australia and New Zealand, SurfAid conducts educational programs in nutrition, hygiene, healthy environments, disease prevention and emergency preparedness on the islands off West Sumatra. The programs are vital to this isolated region, where poverty and natural disasters significantly contribute to high death rates. The Mentawai Islands are located on one of the world's most active earthquake zones, which can trigger devastating tsunamis. In 2010, a magnitude 7.7 earthquake actuated a tsunami that demolished several villages in the Mentawai and claimed more than 500 lives.

The party will also offer attendees the opportunity to support the Los Angeles County Fire Department's 20th annual Spark of Love Toy Drive by bringing new, unwrapped toys and sports equipment for underserved children and teens in Los Angeles County. Over the past two decades, the toy drive has successfully collected more than 7 million toys for underserved children and teens throughout Southern California.

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