Rob Machado Foundation's Annual Benefit Concert Featured Performances By Jason Mraz

Last night's sold-out benefit concert for the Rob Machado Foundation (http://robmachadofoundation.org) was a remarkable success, raising funds and awareness for the California-based 501c(3) non-profit private foundation, which supports charities dedicated to environmental programs worldwide. While proceeds are still being tallied, organizers report that the event exceeded its fundraising goals and made more money this year than last.

Legendary surfer, environmental activist and musician Rob Machado - who founded the organization in 2004 - hosted the event at The Belly Up in Solana Beach, CA. The evening began with a VIP meet and greet with Machado and Goo Goo Dolls front man John Rzeznik. The concert provided a rare opportunity to see multi-GRAMMY winning pop troubadour Jason Mraz perform in an intimate setting. John Rzeznik, who played last year's sold-out RMF concert, returned for a special solo acoustic set. Local singer/songwriter and KPRI Homegrown Hour's Artist of the Week Austin Burns and breakout Los Angeles band Run River North also performed.

"I'd like to thank Jason, John, Austin and Run River North for their amazing performances and support. We're also deeply grateful to the fans who came out and the volunteers who helped make it all happen," said Rob Machado, who was profiled by U-T San Diego, in this A&E cover story on Sunday.

The primary mission of the Rob Machado Foundation is to provide funding and initiate educational programs focused on helping children understand their contribution towards a healthy earth. With funds raised in the past year - including the 2012 benefit concert - RMF was able to:

Fund youth Green Team at 2013 Bro-Am, which diverted over 300 pounds of waste from the landfill
Provide program support for implementation of new, more effective trash bins at Seaside Beach. The new cans were designed with eVocal, produced from 100% reclaimed and recycled material, and purchased, with the help of Sambazon.
Install trash and recycling bins on school athletic fields
Fund establishment of Grow Your Own school garden program in San Diego
Support school greening initiatives with needed materials/supplies

About Rob Machado
Rob Machado is not just one of the world's greatest surfers; he's one of the sport's most recognizable characters, a living icon who continues to expand the definition of what professional surfing is all about. Machado was consistently among the top seeded competitors while on the ASP World Tour. With 12 career WCT victories, Machado has been among the elite top ten most popular surfers since 1996 on Surfer Magazine's Surfer Poll. He was inducted into the Surfer's Hall of Fame in 2000, awarded the prestigious honor of Waterman's of the Year by the Surf Industry Manufacturers Association (SIMA) in 2009 and, in 2011, the City of Huntington Beach California awarded him a star on the Surfing Walk of Fame.

Since his departure from the ASP tour in 2001, Machado has been one of surfing's most committed ambassadors, roaming the globe, surfing the world's best waves and deepening his commitment to support various humanitarian and environmental organizations. In 2009 he was the recipient of the One Degree Less Award from Planet Green + the Water Council of Brazil Project and recognized by Oceana for his dedication to environmental activism. http://robmachadofoundation.org

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