Mom and Daughter Craft for a Cause

When Stacy Russo and her daughter, Sam, found out that a collection had been started to fund search and rescue attempts for Daniel Bobis, they began making and selling beach glass necklaces.

Even after the 32-year-old surfer's body had been found four days after he went missing of the coast of Sumatra in late July, they continued to sell the handmade jewelry to raise money for his family.

“We had been making the necklaces for friends, family and fun,” said Sam, a graduate of Long Beach High School, where Bobis was a math teacher. “We just came up with idea that it was a great way to raise some money.”

Sam was not in any of Bobis’ classes, but she sometimes attended his extra help sessions. She said he was loved by the students and was known as the cool, young teacher who made math fun.

She and her mother sold their colorful necklaces at Sweets for Shore on West Park Avenue, where Stacy works. The necklaces are made with glass found along the shores of Long Beach. With 43 necklaces in hand, they figured that would get them through the last weekend in July, but 20 were sold within the first hour the store was open. In one day, the pair made more than $800.

When Patch spoke with the Russos on Tuesday, they were headed to Manhattan to get more leather for their necklaces. Donations of beach glass have been made by residents along with a donation of drill bits by Centre Millwork-True Value.

“A lot of people have been so supportive in order for us to keep doing this,” Sam said.

More necklaces will be on sale at Sweets for Shore on Aug. 10.

More information about the Russos' necklaces can be found on their Facebook page. To donate directly to the family, more information can be found here.