Great food and fellowship shared by friends and neighbors at the POC Muster.
The Warriors Weekend 2016 is fast approaching. This marks the 10th year we have welcomed those wounded heroes to our little paradise, and we expect even more for WW 2016. More than 900 wounded vets will fly, bus, drive and share a ride from across the nation into Victoria, Port Lavaca and POC before converging at the POC Community Center for a special time of fishing, fun, food, fellowship, finding healing and a feeling of camaraderie.
It is an enormous undertaking to provide a much needed weekend of acceptance and appreciation to these often neglected heroes. Housing, food, transportation boats and bait, fish cleaning and fun are all a part of their visit. The financial obligation is staggering. Ron Kocian and the WW.org board lead the fundraising efforts year around to make the annual event successful. They have long hosted a fundraising party in Victoria called the Warriors Weekend Muster. Muster, meaning assembly or gathering of troops, especially for inspection or preparation is a fitting name for the event that prepares for the task of honoring our wounded warriors.
This year marks the first of hopefully many Musters in POC. March 5th at the Community Center, 200 plus supporters joined together for a delicious steak dinner, a live auction, and huge raffle. The auction and raffle items were amazing, interesting and widely varied. Custom ice chests and guns, Argentinean Dove Hunts, Coastal Art and Décor, Jewelry and Guide trips all were raffled or auctioned at sometimes astonishing amounts to raise more than $35,000 for WW2016 at the POC Muster. Each dollar raised means more heroes served. So it was a fulfilling evening with good success.
There remain a few areas of need for the upcoming WW2016. Huge thanks to Duffy’s Lawn and Garden of Victoria for supplying golf carts for transport of heroes and their families in and around town for past Warriors Weekends. Unfortunately, they have closed that branch of their family business and will not be able to serve this year. Many visiting heroes need or require transportation assistance so golf carts are much needed. If you have one that could be used for this, please contact Jim or Linda Butler to make arrangements at 361-237-8053. They coordinate the golf cart brigade.
Housing for our heroes is always a big need. Do you have a guest room, fishermen’s quarters or guest house you could volunteer? Call Bill Tigrett and give him the details. Homemade desserts are needed for the mealtimes. Cookies and cakes make our visiting heroes feel special. If you can provide one or more homemade goodies, please call or text Kelly Gee with your information. There will be a need for food for the sandcastle builders, and Kim Sonnier will be coordinating the schedule.
Volunteer opportunities during the weekend of May 20-22 abound. If you want to share your appreciation and thanks with our visiting warriors, make plans to check in at the Community Center with Janice Driver, Volunteer Coordinator, during the event. You can help make this weekend part of the best of the rest of their lives. Many of them have risked their lives to protect yours.
Donnie Klesel buys raffle tickets for great prizes.
Live auction items moved fast.
