2012 Walleyes for Warriors
Category: npaa
Jan 30th, 2012 by OutdoorsFIRST
Modified Jan 30th, 2012 at 12:00 AM
2012 WALLEYES FOR WARRIORS
June 16-17, 2012
Veterans Park, Bay City, MI
Plans for the second annual Walleyes for Warriors Veteran’s charity recreational event are underway. Again, ALL Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces are encouraged to participate, especially those who served in overseas conflicts, have service connected disabilities, have Purple Hearts and were POWs. We expect to have an excellent turnout again. In 2011 there were 90 volunteer boat captains who took 175 Veterans from Vets Park down the river to the Saginaw Bay for five hours of fishing. Before launching, water and a sack lunch were provided to each fisherman and Colors were held by the DNR and Sheriff’s Dept. Upon return, U.S. flags were flying along both sides of the river and military music played on the loudspeakers as crowds cheered.
The fish were measured and weighed and prizes were given. Veterans wore screen printed Tshirts, given decals for their vehicles and were also provided with numerous donated gifts. A catered roast pork dinner was provided under a large outdoor tent. Antique military vehicles were on display and motorcycle groups gave a special honor to the Vets. The Chippewa Tribe Veterans organization did a drum ceremony. Discounts were given at local motels. Financial need was met for those who would have been otherwise unable to attend.
Gifts of money were also given to some recently returned Vets in need.
In order to make an event like this possible, sponsors, donors and volunteers are key. Presenting sponsors were generous in providing for large expenses. Many other sponsors were equally important and their willingness to provide for this event made it a quality and memorable experience. Volunteers were outstanding doing duties such as setting up and cleaning up, directing parking, transporting Veterans, checking in Vets as they arrived and assigning them to a boat and captain, loading and unloading veterans from boats, managing boating traffic, working on the stage being an MC or entertaining, weighing, cleaning and boxing fish for Vets to take home, passing out prizes as well as many other duties. The event was so meaningful to the Veterans that within the week calls and emails were coming in from donors and volunteers wanting to be sure they were part of the event in 2012!
A website has been set up where a list of sponsors and donors as well as pictures from the 2011 event can be viewed. Also, the entry form and liability release form for 2012 will be on the website. You will find it at www.walleyesforwarriors.com .
Please consider being a part of the 2012 Walleyes for Warriors event and pass this information on to anyone you know who might be interested. Further information is provided on the Sponsorship Brochure. Thank you for your interest in saying “Wecome Home” and showing appreciation to our Veterans for serving our country. Again this year, proceeds beyond expenses will go to the Paralyzed Veterans Assoc. of America and the Brain Injury Assoc. of MI, a 501C3 state chartered organization. Tax deduction information will be provided upon processing of your donation or sponsorship.