Established in 1973, the Save Our Beach Association, a non-profit organization, welcomes everyone interested in improving the quality, safety, beauty and ecology of a very special place – Surfside Beach.
We meet monthly, year round on the Saturday following council meetings. We meet at various places and currently are meeting at City Hall, Surfside, Texas. Meetings sometimes include speakers and/or presentations. We are involved in many civic activities but having fun is also a priority. Come and join us for a meeting or special event. Whether you live on the island or just come to visit, your involvement is greatly appreciated.
The Save Our Beach Association is in close association with the Parks and Wildlife Department during the State of Texas Adopt-A-Beach semi annual beach clean ups held in March and September. We have members who volunteer to clean the beaches as well as members that cook and serve the food donated by local companies to feed all of the volunteers. This last September we served 1,800 volunteers from all around Brazoria County.
We host Dunes Day in January when the discarded Christmas Trees arrive in Surfside in the rental trucks that we rent, fuel, load and unload. Trees are staked and tied in rows in front of the dune line to assist in catching blowing sand to help their building process. The dunes are a vital part of flood and wave action control in a tropical storm or hurricane. This last November the SOBA undertook a sand fence project where our members assisted in placing the fencing (approximately 4 miles) and will soon begin helping with planting vegetation in the sand piles that will eventually become dunes.
For years, the Association provided signage for the beach visitors to inform them to stay off the dunes and the ban on burning Christmas trees that were placed on Dunes Day. On major holidays such as Memorial Day and Labor Day visitors are greeted by SOBA members who pass out trash bags at the main gates. We have also made evening driving trips to deliver bags to the overnight visitors.
Other projects have included Dune “walkovers”, food preparation and hosting or helping serve at the Children’s Christmas Party, and St. Patrick’s Day Costume Contest. SOBA also helps with the Annual Fire Department Fish Fry and Auction.
Dues to the Association are $15.00/per person/per year and $25 per family/per year. A newsletter is printed each month to keep everyone, including our out of town members abreast of all events present and future. Tee-shirts and can koozies are for sale at all events or from members. The profit from these sales is used in our ongoing community projects.
SOBA is expanding its scope by adding a special event that will offer entertainment, shopping for special gifts and treasures, along with chances to make long-lasting memories. Mark November 3, 2012 as the perfect day to multitask by combining a family excursion to beautiful Surfside beach and Christmas shopping with a day of varied entertainment opportunities at SOBA’s 1st Annual “Treasures by the Sea” Celebration. Come early to enjoy the beauty of Sunrise over the Gulf. Pelicans, gulls, shore birds, and often dolphins provide great photo ops in the colorful morning light.
At 10 am sales and entertainment begin at Stahlman Park, 2211 Bluewater Highway, Surfside, Texas (at the signal light over the bridge, turn left, go 2.1 miles, Stahlman building is on the right). Elvis (Billy Wayde}, who is frequently spotted on the island, will be available for photos and to entertain his fans. If you didn’t get an autographed photo of yourself with Elvis back in the 60’s you can go home from the celebration with one. Elvis is donating his half of the photo proceeds to SOBA. He will be there from about 2:30 to 3:30 PM. This is an opportunity to get a special memento of your day at Surfside and support a great cause at the same time!
Sandy Claus with his bright red beach buggy and magical flamingos will provide photo ops for the young and young at heart. You’ll want to bring your children, grand-children, friends and camera to capture special moments with our jolly beachcombing Sandy Claus.
There will be hand built and hand thrown pottery, mosaics, jewelry including pieces made with sea glass found at Surfside, handmade soaps, antiques, collectibles, local honey, and much more. Soup, Sandwiches, and home baked goodies are available when get hungry and talented area groups will join Elvis in providing entertainment.
Come, leave your footprints in the sand, take wonderful treasures, and make enchanted memories as you help save the treasures of this special place for future generations.
