Ernie Thrash Johnson has been a staple member of the Original Santa Monica Muscle Beach community since the 70’s. He learned acrobatics and circus from the greats, like Glen Sunby, Russ Sander, Paula Unger, Bob Yerkes, and Gary Morgan, who have since passed the torch to him to oversee and continue the tradition of The Original Muscle Beach.  Over the past 40 years, Ernie(who is a accomplished SAG/AFTRA stuntman, acrobat and circus performer and instructor) has helped thousands of people from all over the world learn the art of acro. He taught people almost every Saturday and Sunday for the last 40 years, free of charge and out of the kindness of his heart in effort to pay it forward in honor of the greats that taught him.  He is lovingly referred to as “The King of the Beach” by fellow muscle beach goers.  Ernie led the effort to stop the city of Santa Monica from eliminating the original muscle beach and convinced them to remodel it instead.  He partnered with the city, specified the equipment and mapped out its placement.  He’s a major reason that muscle beach still exists today and the reason that the equipment is so well designed. Unfortunately, Ernie, who is only 54, began showing signs of memory loss earlier this year that rapidly progressed to what the doctors are calling dementia and acute delirium. He is unable to care for himself, does not remember to eat or drink, has lost nearly 70lbs, has trouble remembering anything short term or holding a coherent conversation.  Bills went unpaid for months before family noticed.  Currently, the family is having trouble getting the care he needs covered by insurance which means the family will be coming out of pocket for his treatment. Ernie now needs round the clock care.  He can’t be left alone. Many don’t know that Ernie has been the primary caretaker and has provided financial support for his elderly mother; lovingly known by many as Mama Rose. The two of them live in the home that  Ernie’s father purchased in the early 70’s.  Mama Rose fell victim to a predatory reverse mortgage loan back in 2008 during the housing crisis. It was always Ernie’s main goal to purchase the home out of that predatory loan to insure it stays in the family.  Since he is unable to work or provide for household bills, the goal of saving this home is looking less obtainable.  The reality is that if Mama Rose, who is 87, passes away, the bank will take the home to satisfy the reverse mortgage...leaving Ernie homeless and unable to provide for himself.  The family is under immense pressure to secure this home to ensure Ernie has a familiar roof over his head for as long as he needs.  For these reasons we are reaching out to the community, that Ernie has dedicated his life to serving, for help. Funds raised will be allocated to medical insurance, hospital/treatment bills, saving his home, groceries and catching up on past due bills. Any donation towards his cause big or small will be appreciated beyond measure.  The Muscle Beach community means the world to Ernie and the family is dedicated to doing everything in our power to get him back to his beloved beach and friends.    If Ernie has ever coached you, performed for you, taught you something or even just made you smile anytime over the last 40 years...please donate. <img src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/52134184_1603658335273168_r.jpeg" width="100%" media_type="3" alt="52134184_1603658335273168_r.jpeg" /> <img src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/52134184_1603657873947517_r.jpeg" alt="52134184_1603657873947517_r.jpeg" width="100%" media_type="3" /><img src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/52134184_1603657938367657_r.jpeg" alt="52134184_1603657938367657_r.jpeg" width="100%" media_type="3" />

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Hector Torres

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Thea Mercado

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Vince Loukanov

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Aaron Lenox

Help Ernie From Muscle Beach

Help Ernie From Muscle Beach

Still $461,887 to go. Help us build momentum.