The Annual Fundraising events at Burnt Store Marina in Punta Gorda, FL were held over the weekend prior to and including Veterans Day, 2014. We were honored to have the Founder and President of WISH for OUR HEROES, Jeff Wells, in attendance for the Saturday events and our guest of honor and speaker at the Veterans Breakfast, SPC Charlie Lemon, an Army Veteran from Tampa who was severely wounded (double amputee) in Iraq, but spends much of his life volunteering to help raise awareness and support for WISH for OUR HEROES and other charities supporting Veterans and Active Duty Military families-in-need.
The first Burnt Store event to assist WISH for OUR HEROES began in 2010 as a small golf tournament and throughout the past 4 years, it has evolved into a large golf tournament, as well as an evening party with entertainment, silent auction and raffles. This year, we raised a total of $23,515!
Our success was a result of local residents and businesses who sponsored holes for the golf tournament, donated items for the raffles and silent auction, and purchased 50/50 tickets and/or tickets to the Saturday evening event. This was our most successful weekend to date. This small community and surrounding area has raised more than $67,000 since 2010. We should be very proud of this. All monies raised within the Burnt Store community will assist military families in need. For more information about WISH for OUR HEROES, visit www.wishforourheroes.org.
The weekend started with 50/50 raffles on Thursday and Friday evening at Cass Cay Restaurant & Bar. The golf tournament & luncheon kicked off Saturday morning at Burnt Store Golf & Activity Club and Linkside Café. Thank you to Diane Mattas, Kathy Wilson and the entire staff and Volunteers at the Club for their support and a great morning & lunch.
Saturday evening, the Party & Silent Auction were held at the new Cass Cay Restaurant & Bar with entertainment donated by Steve Flagg AKA ‘Single Shot Steve.’ The highlight of the evening was the moment when all Veterans in attendance were called to the stage to sing ‘God Bless the USA’. Thanks to Brian Decaro & Bill Kelley and the Cass Cay staff for an amazing meal and service.
On Tuesday, November 11th we completed our weekend with a Veterans Breakfast at Linkside Café to honor all local Veterans.
Local businesses and individuals who provided items for auctions/raffles included: Alliant Property Management, Beef ‘O’Brady’s, Bert’s Bar & Grill, Beyond Borders Outfitters-Capt. Rhett Morris, Big “M” Casino, Burnt Store Golf & Activity Club, Burnt Store Marina, Burnt Store Marina Health Club, Burnt Store Services, Capt. Bill’s Barber Shop, Cass Cay Restaurant & Bar, Christine Mumford, Creative Ends Hair Salon, Dick and Joyce Brown, Ed Kosiewicz, Fishbone Charters-Capt. Tom Fisher, Florida State University, Greenscapes, Jimmy Merz, Inspiration Studio—Jo Lapinski, Marco Island Office Supply, Marina Travel – Joyce Brown, Kingsway Golf Club, Lynda McDermott, Magnolia Landing, Marna Parker, Mugs Kiepe, Riverwood Golf Club, Rockefeller Wine & Spirits – Joe Pennisi, Ron & LaNeva Kofoid, San Antonio Spurs, S & S Money Auto Repair, Scott Houchins, Stan Hochstadt, Staples – south 41 Naples, Starbucks Cape Coral, Steve Flagg “Single Shot Steve”, Stevie Tomato’s Sports Page, Suncoast Beverage, Susan Ion Hogan, DDS, Trading Post-Caloosa Queen, Trask Law, Veranda Restaurant.
Hole Sponsors included: Mcomber Family, Leon & Nick Luberacki, Russ Jinkens – Paradise Customs, Ruth Porter, Barb Mueller & Lee Plank, Joyce & Dick Brown, Burnt Store Golf & Activity Club-Staff & Members, Cass Cay Gang, Bohall’s Total Comfort, Deborah Ruddell, DDS, PA, Joyce & Bernie Punt, Jimmy Merz, Tim & Barb Wells, Marianne & Stu Gassner, Tommy & Mary Pace Shannon, Century 21 – Sunbelt Realty, BobVail&Lynda McDermott, Joe & Judy Magure, John & Dianne Ardolino, Ed & Francine Hutcheson, K.A.M. Mfg – Andy Mcomber, Todd & Diane Mattas, Jim & Sissy Powers, Gerherd Diesener, Lou & Jackie Paolillo, Rachel Martin, Bookless Family, Gordon & Cheryl Fogg, Linda Quick, Susan Ion Hogan, DDS & Staff, Pleasant Run Dog training, boarding, grooming – Jerry & Carol Tollini, Ed & Sue Leffingwell, Linkside Homeowners, Trask Law – Mary Trask, Gary Wiecorek & Lynn Powers, Burnt Store Services – Joe & Tina Deleonardis, Baltimore County Firefighters, Hutcheson Realty, Inc – Ed & Francine Hutcheson
‘Thank you’ to the committee and volunteers for the events this year.
Committee: Joyce Brown, Dar Johnson, Barb Poet, Leon Luberacki, Jimmy Merz, Cheryl Fogg, Steve Mcomber plus Dick Brown & Jeff Poet.
Volunteers: Louise Podolske, Judy Maguire, Missy Coykendall, Sandy Howard, Jim & Bev David, Kathi & Walt Glowicki, Jeff Wells, Janet Wood, Charlie Lemon, Gordon Fogg, Matt & Andy Mcomber, Norma Yoder, Kelly Funk, and Steve Flagg “Single Shot Steve” , and others.
To all of our Veterans – We HONOR and SALUTE you.
-Joyce Brown
