VVA Chapter #1069 of El Campo Texas would like to express its thanks to Everyday Heroes, Inc., a local non-profit 501(c) organization whose only mission is to provide support for all Veterans by helping to enrich their daily lives. The organization's main functions for helping Veterans are shown below:
All these programs are made possible by the auction fundraiser at the Texas Swordfish Seminar held at Surfside each year.
The Chapter is encouraging all Chapter members to show their support for Everyday Heroes by attending the 4th annual Swordfish Seminar, being held at Surfside Marina on Saturday, April 26, 2014. This is an all-day event with plenty of food and drink, including the 2014 Texas Swordfish Seminar, hosted by Surfside Marina. The Seminar includes classes on Swordfishing techniques, along with a multitude of display booths by various Gulf Coast fishing & sporting vendors. The highlight of the event for Everyday Heroes is the BIG auction held in the late afternoon. The auction proceeds enable Everyday Heroes to maintain a 15-passenger mini-bus (see above image) for transporting Veterans to the VA Hospital; this is the most costly program for Everyday Heroes, costing about $50,000 in annual driver and maintenance expenses. The auction proceeds also fund the scooters, electric lift recliners, and carrying ramps that are loaned to Veterans. Because the scooters are provided on a loan basis, more than one Veteran benefits from the purchase of a single scooter. Scooters cost about $2,000, depending on the model.
Surfside Marina is located just north of Surfside beach - see above map. The address is 827 Gulf Rd, Surfside Beach, Texas, 77541. Their phone number is: (979) 230-9400. Click here to visit the Surfside Marina website.
The above photo shows the Surfside Marina facility with Surfside Beach in the background. The large building shown is the indoor storage facility.
Surfside Marina has a very unique and efficient boat deposit and retrieval system. There is no 'normal' boat ramp on the site. The massive height of the building allows for a 4-story rack storage system. All boats are moved to/from the water with a monstrous custom forklift; the forklift actually drives to the edge of the concrete moving area and lowers/raises each boat into/out of the water. This unique boat deposit and retrieval system is in itself something to see in action, and well worth the visit to the Marina!
The above photo was taken at last year's 2013 Everyday Heroes fundraiser at Surfside Marina. Pictured are some of the Veterans who have received electric scooters, including those recipients who have passed away. And, as the poster states, it's the auction dollars that have provided (and will provide) much needed transportation to the VA Hospital, along with scooters and equipment for Veterans in the coming year.
The above photo was taken at last year's 2013 Everyday Heroes fundraiser at Surfside Marina. The poster shows more photos of some of the Veterans who have received electric scooters from Everyday Heroes.
The above photo was taken at last year's 2013 Everyday Heroes fundraiser at Surfside Marina. The photo was taken in the early morning and shows the tables and chairs being setup under the giant tent which can hold hundreds of people. The giant tent will again be set up this year for the 2014 seminar and fundraiser. The tent provides for a cool, dry and spacious area for attendees to gather and have lunch during the day. This is also where the various Swordfish seminars are held throughout the day. It is then also used in the evening for the big Everyday Heroes fundraising auction.
The above photo was taken at last year's 2013 Everyday Heroes fundraiser at Surfside Marina. The photo shows the registration table where all those who want to participate in the fundraising auction must pre-register. Again, all proceeds from the auction will go to the Everyday Heroes organization, to help sustain the operating expenses of the organization throughout the year.
The Everyday Heroes transportation van is available to all El Campo area Veterans. If you need a ride to the Veterans Affair (VA) hospital in Houston call (979) 578-8387 to set up an appointment. The van picks up in El Campo and Wharton. For more information, call (979) 543-3703.
Everyday Heroes, Inc. is a 501(c) non-profit organization, whose only mission is to provide support for all Veterans. To donate to the program, call (979) 543-3703.