An organization slightly over a year old, Tour of Duty exists to serve Active Duty, Veterans, and Unaccompanied Service Members. You can read our introductory interview here.
So far it seems things are going well. During the past 12 months, word has spread and more donors have come out to help. There’s now an official website, and ToD has a growing Facebook community where all veterans and active duty members can come together to help each other out.
On Saturday, 29 May, Martin Scott Winery hosted an 8 hour fundraiser event for Tour of Duty featuring live music by Waterdog Unleased and a silent auction.
Thanks to generous donations from Martin Scott Winery, Tiny Paws, Screaming Octopus, Heavy Hitter Guide Service, Waterville Auto Parts, Tylen Goodrich Art, Taylor Crylic Customs, Mary Kay by Noel Martin, Shear Magic Salon, among others, a total of 12 items or auction sets were available for bidding.
With about 100 people in attendance, maybe more, the auction alone raised about $1,800.
Combined with Martin Scott Winery donating 25% of all sales from the event, “sales” of Tour of Duty branded items, and an anonymous donation afterwards, the total raised for Tour of Duty that weekend topped $5,000! Wow! If there was ever any doubt that our community likes to support veterans, these results shut that down pretty quick.
Here are a few photos that were shared on Facebook – if you have some of your own, feel free to post in the comments!
When I asked Cortlin about what’s coming next for Tour of Duty, he explained: “Our next event is for veterans and active duty – We’re taking a few folks out salmon fishing. Anyone interested needs to join the Tour of Duty Veteran Community [Facebook group] and enter in to be selected.” This event is called Operation Salmon, and is a joint effort with Operation Catching Freedom. As of today, 9 June, that announcement is up in the Facebook group. Get in and enter for your chance to go Salmon Fishing in Chelan in July!
