RESEDA, Calif.—Girlfriends Films and Syren De Mer have shown their support of the Special Olympics with a $1,000 donation. Appearing in 17 movies for Girlfriends Films, De Mer is one of the studio’s most filmed performers the past year. De Mer’s selection for the Girlfriends Films’ October charity honors her daughter, an athlete in Special Olympics for six years.
Girlfriends Films calls on its strong community of fans and followers to join De Mer in supporting Special Olympics. Donations of all sizes may be made directly to the organization by clicking here.
“The reason I chose Special Olympics is because our oldest daughter has been a participant in it for the last six years,” Syren De Mer said. “When she was born she suffered a major stroke, and now lives with a number of disabilities along with epilepsy. Special Olympics gave her a way to help cope with these.
“Special Olympics helps her self-esteem,” De Mer continued. “It’s an outlet for her energy she wouldn't normally have. She's made many friends, and it helps with her social and physical skills, driving her to excel at what she does. She really strives to win the medals because, and I quote, ‘I want to win the medals not the ribbons; they're not as pretty.’ Watching her and the other athletes stand on the podiums to receive their recognitions is one of the most heartwarming experiences you'll ever have. You see their personalities manifest themselves in very emotional and sometimes humorous ways you don't normally see in athletes who are not disabled. They are not afraid to show exactly how they feel, with no inhibitions or care of what others think.”
According to SpecialOlympics.org, the mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills, and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes, and the community.
De Mer adds, “The teachers, trainers, coaches, and volunteers have been amazing in dealing with her and all the other athletes. Their patience, enthusiasm, understanding, and encouragement of these very special athletes is par none. If there are true heroes in America today these people are some of the greatest. They congratulate each and every athlete the same, regardless where they place, and make them all feel ‘special.’”
Girlfriends Films movies starring De Mer include Road Queen 22, Poor Little Shyla 2, Please Make Me Lesbian 5 and Lesbian Sex 9.
“Special Olympics is for more than only the athletes,” says De Mer. “It’s also for the parents, family, and friends of the athletes. It gives everyone a way to come together, meet others living with special athletes, and learn from each other. It’s an opportunity to make new friends, find support, and to get involved in something that is extremely positive for everyone involved.
“I really want to thank Special Olympics for everything they've done to help my daughter and family, as well as thank Girlfriends Films for giving me the opportunity to thank them in such a wonderful way,” states De Mer.
Girlfriends Films has a long history of charitable contributions, having donated over $20,000 in 2011. Last year the company recently restructured its charity program from an annual end-of-year donation to an ongoing, monthly program. AVN Media founder Paul Fishbein kicked off the 2012 giving with a donation to Best Friend Animal Society, followed by Tanya Tate’s gift to the National Breast Cancer Coalition, XBIZ Managing Editor Dan Miller’s donation to the American Red Cross, AVN Senior Editor Mark Kernes’ donation to the Guttmacher Institute, RayVeness’ selection of Treasures, and more.
Any Girlfriends Films performers interested in participating may apply by emailing the following information to [email protected]: name, AIP charity of choice, reason(s) for selecting the charity. Chosen performers will be asked to submit a personal photo depicting the performer engaged with the charity, the charity’s mission, or a similar charitable act. The photo will be used for promotional purposes.
All models were at least 18 years old at the time of their performance. 18 U.S.C. 2257 Record-Keeping Requirements Compliance Statement.
