All of us at Green Force Tactical are committed to helping others and bettering our community and country. When our friend, Ben "Mookie" Thomas, invited us, as well as other friends of his brand, Mookie Militia, to the Surfers for Autism event held nearby, we jumped at the chance to assist.
Coordinated and organized by Moose Brown and his team of volunteers, this event, which occurred on July 7, 2018, brought together families with autistic kids and gave them a judgement free area for the kids to enjoy many activities. There was music, food, fire boats, stunt airplanes, and even pirates! The highlight, of course, was getting these kids out into the water on boards with skilled surf instructors and volunteers to let them experience the waves for themselves.
Located at Pass-a-Grille Beach in St. Petersburg, FL, the event had a perfect venue. The shallower and calmer waters provided a safe and comfortable location for the families, but still afforded the surf needed to keep the boards moving.
It seemed hundreds of volunteers showed up to assist in any way they could, from pushing kids on boards, to setup and cleanup. The local Fire and Police departments also gave their time to direct traffic, cook for the volunteers, and maintain a safe environment for all participants.
Surfers for Autism holds many such events along the Florida and Georgia coasts throughout the year. Please consider volunteering for this worthy cause. It's an experience you won't soon forget. Don't live close enough to volunteer but still want to help? They accept donations via PayPal, too.