Andrew “Red” Harris was a true Jupiter waterman. Whether he was hunting for fish in the Bahamas, searching for lobster under ledges or just snorkeling in the Intracoastal, Andrew’s love for the ocean was always so apparent. On June 8, 2014, our community suffered a heartbreaking loss. This promising 26-year-old was struck by a boat while snorkeling in the Jupiter Inlet.

Martha and Scott Harris want to make sure their son will never be forgotten. The Andrew “Red” Harris Foundation was founded in 2014 to honor Andrew’s memory and keep his legacy alive. This 501C3 non-profit organization puts one hundred percent of contributions into enhancing and sustaining the marine environment in Palm Beach County. The foundation is focusing on building artificial reef cells to place off our coast for divers and fishermen to enjoy. These artificial reefs are intended to enhance fish populations, restore marine habitats, improve water quality and sustain the marine environment. “We think building and naming artificial reefs in Andrew’s honor is the best and most appropriate way to extend Andrew’s legacy for present and future generations who love Jupiter and northern Palm Beach County the way Andrew did.”

The Andrew “Red” Harris Foundation plans to create multiple vibrant, new habitats for our local marine environment. Many artificial reefs tend to look unnatural, so the foundation has worked on designing unique reef cells with interconnected cavities and internal surfaces that will be exposed to sunlight and water current. “The unique reef cell designs, rising eight feet from the sea floor, will create highly functional reef structures that will quickly begin to look like Bahamian coral heads.” Last month, a crane lowered 40 of these concrete modules to the ocean floor, forming the first reef of the Andrew “Red” Harris Foundation. Divers have already seen dozens of fish species swimming amongst the artificial reef. “Nothing is ever going to replace Andrew, but it’s an effort to honor his memory in a way that will benefit the community as his life would have,” said Andrew’s father, Scott Harris.

The Andrew “Red” Harris Foundation has already accomplished so much in their first year, and they have only just begun. They are presently raising money to place 100 more Bahamian coral head-like reef modules off Jupiter in the summer of 2016 and another 100 in 2017. The foundation counts Palm Beach County and the Town of Jupiter as their primary partners. The foundation is expanding it's scope to include inshore projects and plans to restore the beautiful marine habitat under the east side of Cato's Bridge.

When Andrew wasn’t fishing or diving, he enjoyed to play golf and basketball, earning all-county honors in golf and being named the MVP of the Jupiter Community High School basketball team. The family is preparing for the second annual golf tournament benefiting the foundation. Last year, more than 140 golfers came out to honor Andrew. The 2015 Andrew “Red” Harris Foundation Golf Tournament will take place on Saturday, October 24th at the Jupiter Country Club. The tournament will feature a day of golfing followed by a buffet dinner, silent auction, raffle and prizes. All of the money made at the event will go towards the foundation’s mission. The golf tournament is already sold out for golfers, but there is still avilability to buy tickets for the auction & dinner, and to donate to the auction or become a sponsor.

So, come join our community for a day of golfing and a night of fun to help sustain our beautiful marine environment and honor Andrew “Red” Harris!

The 2015 Andrew “Red” Harris Foundation Golf Tournament
Saturday, October 24th || Jupiter Country Club
Sign-in and Driving Range 11:30am – 12:30pm
Shotgun Start 1:00pm
Golf Contribution: Sold Out | Sponsor Hole or Tee: $150 | Lunch & Silent Auction Ticket Only: $50
Additional sponsorship opportunities and golf registration forms are available at www.andrewredharrisfoundation.org

Vist http://andrewredharrisfoundation.org to learn more about the foundation and how you can get involved or to make a tax deductible contribution.