Military Appreciation Day, Southport Chapter

Skippers with boats, gear and bait are needed to take active-duty troops fishing for the annual MAD
event to be held at Southport on 10/11 September 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 our guests.

On the fishing side, boats large and small, inshore and offshore, are encouraged to participate.
We will use the Wildlife Ramp on Fish Factory Road in Southport for launching, Dutchman Creek Park
next door for skippers dinner and picnic and the 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 2pm 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.

We frequently hear 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 http://www.militaryappreciationday.net and choose Boat Volunteer.