Skippers with boats, gear, and bait are needed to take active-duty troops fishing for the annual Military Appreciation Day (MAD) event to be held…
Skippers with boats, gear, and bait are needed to take active-duty troops fishing for the annual Military Appreciation Day (MAD) event to be held at Southport on September 10 & 11, 2021.
MAD is a 100% volunteer and donor funded event for troops who come in from all over the state. After fishing, everyone meets back up at Dutchman Creek Park for a large catered picnic. Of course, everything is free for guests.
On the fishing side, boats large and small, inshore and offshore, are encouraged to participate. MAD will use the Wildlife Ramp on Fish Factory Road in Southport for launching, Dutchman Creek Park next door for skippers dinner and picnic, and Safe Harbor South Harbour Village Marina for boat ops.
The event includes a skippers meeting and dinner (free) on Friday Night, an early Saturday morning departure, and return to shore around 2:00 pm where help is provided for fish cleaning. Finally, the picnic wraps up the rest of the day. Skippers and crew are all invited to attend the picnic, at no cost.
Skippers who sign up will be assigned troops before the event. This allows for important coordination between the skippers and their guests—things like planned departure times, rules of the boat, guidance on what you will provide, etc. On the morning of the event, skippers and troops check in with the MAD operations tent and a group of volunteers makes sure the troops get to their proper vessels.
MAD frequently hears from skippers that the experience is as meaningful for them as for the troops. It’s a truly meaningful and personal way of saying, “Thanks for your sacrifice.” The MAD motto is: “One, Simple Thanks!”
To volunteer, sign up at www.militaryappreciationday.net and choose Boat Volunteer Registration for the Southport event. Then follow MAD Southport on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SouthportMAD.
Or for more information, the MAD Southport Organizer is Hank Pomeranz, and he can be reached by phone at (910) 274-2400 or by email at madsouthportpres@gmail.com.
