2013Restoring Hope

PO Box 223663 Princeville, HI 96722

friendsofbethany.com

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“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulations, that we may comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

I have been inspired this year by the amazing people Friends of Bethany Hamilton Foundation (FOBH) has had the privilege of reaching out to. When I consider the important work FOBH is doing, the following verse often comes to mind:

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulations, that we may comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” 2 Cor 1:3-4

This scripture beautifully portrays the heart of FOBH. The Founders and Staff at Friends of Bethany have been through difficult life-altering times and have received comfort from God. Now, we are able to comfort others who are going through any difficulty, because of the comfort God has given us.

How much more are we equipped to comfort those who are going through similar circumstances which we have experienced!

At Friends of Bethany, we have a unique niche to reach out to traumatic amputees and shark-attack survivors from. This year marked the 10-year anniversary of Bethany Hamilton’s shark attack and loss of her left arm. Her story has been heard, read, and seen by millions of people worldwide and has given her and FOBH a unique platform to reach out to those who are hurting and need us most.

My email is flooded with stories from those who have been touched by Bethany’s story of faith and overcoming. It is also flooded with stories of struggle and those in need. It has been a privilege to answer those who are struggling, to offer encouragement, hope, strength, and prayer as they walk through times of uncertainty. I have witnessed many families who have been touched in meaningful and lasting ways during times of uncertainty. I am thankful to be involved with this incredible organization that is making a real impact in the lives of those who need us most! I truly, want to thank each one of you for your heartfelt love and support. Each donor and partner we have come in contact with has blessed FOBH in a unique way, and we are so thankful! As you read through these short pages, I hope you are filled with wonder and hope as I have been this year.

Aloha and hope from Kauai,Katie Ancheta

Executive Director

A Year in Review

2013 Spending

2011 - 2013 Charitable Giving

FOBH representatives and awardees at the FOBH Student Scholarship Awards Dinner. Pictured: Katie Ancheta, Becky Hamilton, Charlotte Kaauamo, Victoria Davis, Joy Claypoole, Tia Morishige, Bethany Hamilton, Karalee Higa, and Sarah Hill.

In 2013, Friends of Bethany had the opportunity to reach out to amputees and shark-attack survivors in new and meaningful ways. Thanks to each of our donors, sponsors, and partners we were able to deeply impact the lives of young amputees through our Beautifully Flawed Retreat; comfort and encourage the Boston Bombing amputees with a personal visit, gifts, and financial assistance; reach out to over 35 amputees and/or shark-attack survivors through our Encouragement Package program; grant college scholarships to five outstanding students from Kauai; and inspire thousands through our Inspirational Products made and sold exclusively by Friends of Bethany.

2013 was Friends of Bethany’s second year awarding College Scholarship money to outstanding students in Kauai. Each student has demonstrated: 1) An ability to overcome obstacles; 2) Academic excellence; and 3) Acceptance to a College or University where they are pursuing their life goals. This year’s awardees were outstanding young people of character, strength, and achievement. FOBH is honored to invest in the lives of these promising youth! Thanks to each one of you for your partnership and support! You play a vital role in the lives of each individual FOBH reaches out to.

201374k

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201127k

65%CharitablePrograms

35%General

OperatingCost

We look forward to next year and the many opportunities FOBH has to continue making an impact!

Don't miss the last page of this report to see what we have planned for 2014. To find out more on how you can partner with FOBH, please visit our website or scan the image.

www.friendsofbethany.com

We look forward to 2014 and the many opportunities FOBH has to continue making an impact!

Don't miss the last page of this report to see what we have planned for 2014. To find out more on how you can partner with FOBH, please visit our website or scan the image below.

Donate Now

San Diego

Boston

Restoring Hope

Hearing about the tragedies in Boston and how so many had become amputees was nauseating and gut-wrenching. As a amputee myself, the struggles that would be faced hit home and had me thinking of the first few days I spent limbless. I feel very blessed to have been given a chance to visit Boston and the opportunity to share love and support to those affected by this horrific event. Friends of Bethany sent Sarah Hill, Tom Hamil-ton, and myself to Boston a few days after the bombings. It was surreal being in a city where something so crazy and sinister had happened. We spent the majority of our time in hospitals, and it was there you could feel a tangible sense of humanity and hope. I did my best to speak from the heart the issues I had and what to expect on the road to recovery and the life that unfolds after. I answered questions about a limbless life, the realities and the blessings. It felt like the words coming out of my mouth weren't mine at times, and it was very emotional. It was the most moving experience of my life. But through both tears of laughter and tears of sadness, determination and life resonated loudly. -Mike Coots

On April 15, 2013, two bombs went off at the Boston Marathon, killing 3, injuring hundreds, and taking the limbs of 16 individuals. It was a time of sadness and uncertainty for the city of Boston. It was also a time when people banded together to help each other out. Friends of Bethany sent a small team to Boston 5 days after the bombings to offer love, encourage-ment, and hope. Team members Mike Coots and Sarah Hill report below.

Beautifully Flawed

Song of Solomon 4:7 “You are altogether beautiful, my love; there is no flaw in you.”

Madysen Acey catches a wave during a surf lesson with Bethany Hamilton at the Beautifully Flawed Retreat

The Beautifully Flawed Retreat was attended by young women ages 14-24. Photo by Ashley Wingo.

In October, FOBH hosted the Beautiful-ly Flawed Retreat, an inspirational weekend for young women with limb loss. The retreat was held at a private residence in Del Mar, CA and was hosted by Bethany Hamilton, Lauren Scruggs (Traumatic-Amputee & author of Still Lolo), and FOBH's Sarah Hill, Becky Hamilton, and Katie Ancheta. The response of the young women was overwhelming, and many have reported that the retreat was life-chang-ing for them. Sarah Hill reports below.

As a speaker, there are many topics I have felt passionate about sharing on. Beautifully flawed was a theme the Lord gave me about a year and a half ago. As I shared with friends and family the message behind this theme, I got amazing feedback. Many young girls deal with the issue of body image in our society. It was something that I too had battled for many years. From a young age I faced numerous surgeries leaving my body with scars all over. I believed the lies of being flawed and ugly, unlovable because of the scars I now bared. In light of the cross I was able see my value. I felt the Lord impress on my heart, “Sarah do you not love me because of my scars?” My answer, “of course not Lord, I don’t think of your scars, but when I do, I know you bore those for me.” Every scar, every trial and hardship can bare the love and strength of the Lord if we allow them to.

FOBH was so excited to share this theme with the girls at the retreat. I loved the opportunity to have 12 girls tucked away from the world for the week-end. We laughed, we cried, and we concurred. We concurred the bias that having flaws takes away from your beauty. We were able to remind each other of our great value and purpose. I had previously met one of the girls at the retreat, Madysen. She is a double arm amputee. God knit us together from the moment I was introduced to her! Madysen was invited to attend the retreat. While there, she learned to surf. I will never forget the look in her eyes as she accomplished what she thought would be an impossible task. Her mom said that because of the Beautifully Flawed retreat, she has been forever changed. This makes every hardship and trial so worth it, when we see God use our pain for His glory! Life is lovely and beautiful just as you are.-Sarah Hill

When founding Friends of Bethany Hamilton, we never imagined what kind of doors would be open for us to encourage those who have lost limbs. After the Boston Marathon bombing, there was no question; we knew we needed to go. The Lord directed every footstep we took while in Boston. On the last day that Mike and I were there, I received an email from a girl whose sister lost her leg in the first explosion. The sister was extremely depressed and refused to see anyone. Somehow she agreed to see us. When we went in, this sweet lady looked like the weight of the world was on her shoulders. We began sharing with her and after a few moments she saw Mike’s prosthetic and invited us to sit. She

began asking him all kinds of questions. Mike had lost the same leg in the same place as she had. It was so amazing to see how she opened up. We were able to talk to her for an hour. By the end of the conversation, she was saying she wanted to run the marathon next year. She went from not knowing if she would or could do anything, to seeing and dreaming big. As we walked away from that room Mike said, “Sarah, can I hug you.” As we hugged, he said, “I will never be the same, I am forever changed.” Mike was experiencing the hope and purpose he had in being able to share with others through what he had faced. I am so grateful to be a part of such an amazing organization that desires nothing more than to encourage the discouraged. Thank you all for your prayers and support, without you, this would not be possible! Aloha, Sarah Hill

FOBHBoard Members Tom Hamilton, Sarah Hill, and Mike Coots at a Boston Hospital.

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Restoring Hope 2014 ProjectsMike Coots is a shark-attack survivor, amputee, photographer, and shark-conservationist. He was a source of inspiration to Bethany Hamilton after her shark-attack and is a founding board member of the Friends of Bethany Hamilton Foundation. His life has been a source of hope and inspiration to so many who have met him, and FOBH is excited to share his story with thousands through film!

The first Beautifully Flawed Retreat was an overwhelming success and we look forward to hosting our second retreat in 2014. The Beautifully Flawed Retreat gives FOBH the opportunity to connect with young, struggling amputees on a personal level and create meaningful lasting relationships. Through the Beautifully Flawed Retreats, FOBH hopes to encourage and strengthen amputees as well as identify amputees with whom we can partner with in the years to come.

Encouragement Packages are often the first contact FOBH has with a struggling amputee or shark-attack survivor. They are packages filled with books and DVDs of Bethany’s story, other inspiring life stories, gifts from Kauai, information about FOBH services, and a personal note. FOBH seeks to get Encouragement Packages into the hands of survivors and amputees as soon as we hear of them.

FOBH creates and sells Inspirational Products that share life stories and motivational quotes to give hope and encouragement to others. We have a web store featuring FOBH original posters and DVDs, and we look forward to selling original shirts and books on-line in 2014 as well! These products both inspire and encourage others, while raising funds for FOBH.

The Mike Coots Story Film

FOBH is privileged to help the next generation create their own inspiring life stories. The Kauai Seniors College Scholarship gives financial assistance to college-bound students who have demonstrated an ability to overcome difficult situations in their lives. The past years scholarship awardees have been students full of promise and hope, and FOBH is honored to help them achieve their collegiate goals.

Kauai Seniors College Scholarships Inspirational Products

2nd Annual Beautifully Flawed Retreat Encouragement Packages

Medical expenses for a new amputee can be very high. Hospital stays, surgeries, recovery, physical therapy, and the incredible cost of prosthetics can be overwhelming. This has spurred FOBH to offer Medical Scholarships to Amputees and we are excited to offer scholarships to four individuals each year!

Medical Scholarships for Amputees